Venita Ann Bartmess

Venita Ann Bartmess left this world to join God on May 8, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. She was born Venita Ann Richmond, in Oakwood, Texas on November 11, 1943. She was the daughter of Madeline Powell of Oakwood, granddaughter of Annie Edge of Grapeland, and great-granddaughter of Floria Garrett of Grapeland.

Venita was a kind and loving daughter, sister, mother, wife and friend. You would rarely find her first in line - as she so often put others before herself. She was a self-proclaimed “gypsy soul," never hesitating to pick up and go where life took her to live and work all over the southeastern United States with her husband, Don, and their children. Wherever she landed she found rewarding work in banking customer service and always greatly enjoyed spending time feeding and entertaining friends and family. In her later years nothing gave her more joy than being with her cherished great-granddaughter, Maddie.

She was preceded in death by her mother and grandmothers named above, as well as her devoted husband, Don Calvin Bartmess; her father, Glenn Edward Richmond; her loving step-mother, Billie Richmond; sister, Jeannie Swanson; and brothers, Royce Miller, Sammy Richmond, and Danny Richmond.

She is survived by her daughter, Leila Christina Garrett of Berea, Kentucky; her son, Randall Clifton Lewing (and daughter-in-law Mindy) of Chandler, Texas; her step-daughter, Michelle Sandlin of Tishomingo, Oklahoma; grandsons, Bryce and Garrett Lewing; and great-granddaughter Madeline Lewing. Many other loving friends and family mourn the passing of this sweet soul including her brother, Bill Richmond; sister, Gail Atkins; sister-in-love, Sue Bartmess Lott; brother-in-love, Bobby Bartmess; and niece, Sheri Booth.

A simple ceremony to remember and celebrate her life and lay her body to rest will be held at Tubb Cemetery (17 miles south of Oakwood on FM 542 in Leon County) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 11 A.M. In lieu of floral arrangements, contributions of time or money in remembrance of Venita can be made to Hospice of East Texas, who so gently and lovingly supported Venita and her daughter at the Homeplace Hospice Facility in Tyler, Texas as she made her final crossing.

Final arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas.