The Life and Legacy of Minerva Balthazar

Minerva Richmond was born on February 26, 1950 in Houston, Texas to Minerva Richmond and Charlie Walker. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Golden Gate Missionary Baptist church under the leadership of Pastor J. J. Foster.

Minerva attended grade school in Houston, Texas and graduated from Evan E. Worthing Senior High school where she was known to be a track and field athlete. She then attended some college soon after, but began working in the medical field at Ben Taub Hospital.  She later began her banking journey with NCNB which later became Nations Bank before merging to what is now known as Bank of America. She later retired in February of 2003 after nearly 30 years of hard work, long hours and dedication.

After she retired, she later fostered children and worked as a private Hospice nurse and provider with the continued devotion with spreading the word of The Lord.

Minerva married Arnold Thomas and later married Henry Balthazar, and to that blessed union came her most cherished sons, Zachary and Matthew Balthazar.

She was dedicated to Christ and she was one of the founding members of Windsor Village Methodist Church in the neighborhood in she resided at that time. She later joined Covenant Glen United Methodist church where she was a dedicated Usher and Church member up until her death.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Minerva (Lee Chester) Simmons, Brother-in-law Archie Lewis, Grandparents: Caesar and Myrtle Richmond. Great Aunts, Erma Lee, Helen (Walter) Johnson, Thelma Phillips, Eula Nickols, Easter Williams , Esther Richmond, Nephew: Londen Long.

Minerva is survived by: Children: Zachary Balthazar, Matthew (Cecily) Balthazar, Grandchildren: Meiko, Paxton, Zaire Balthazar. Sisters: Thelma Lewis, Annie Richmond, Brothers: William (Sheila) Simmons, Chester Lee (Johnnie) Simmons. Aunt Travis May Davis, Uncle Amaigh. Nieces and Nephews: Calvin and Bryant Lewis, Deana and Tonya Gipson and Tammy (Arthur) Long, Shemona Simmons, Jared, DeAdrian, Taylor, Melvina and other great nieces and nephews and loving cousins. Her church family and beloved Usher board and countless friends and family.