Richmond, LaVelda

LaVelda Richmond was born Nov. 15, 1933, to Robert and Velda Runyon Rowe of Iowa City, Iowa, accompanied by her identical twin, LaVona Rowe.

LaVelda attended Iowa City Schools, graduating from Iowa City High School in 1952. She attended the State University of Iowa from 1952 to 1957, Iowa City Business College for one year and Northwestern Memorial University for one year. On June 5, 1976, LaVelda and LaVona married identical twin brothers, Arthur and Alwin Richmond at First Baptist Church in Iowa City.

LaVelda was a news photographer for the Chicago Daily News and retired from IBM in 1986. She lived in Iowa City, Chicago and Aurora, Ill., before moving to North English in 2001. LaVelda was a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church. She was a Sunday school teacher for 25 years.

She was a member of many civic organizations, Fraternal Order of Eagles and many twin clubs. LaVelda loved photography, traveling and farmers markets. She was known for her homemade kolaches and breads.

LaVelda went to be with Jesus on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at her home in North English from complications of lung and brain cancer.

She is survived by her twin sister, LaVona Richmond of North English; a sister, Helen Jean (Dale) Heck of Iowa City; a brother, Robert (Elsie) Rowe of Davenport; and nieces and nephews, Pamela and Martin Jones, Deborah Simpson, David and Suzie Heck, Duane and Cindy Rowe and Steven Rowe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur; an infant sister, Clara LaVerna Rowe; and a brother-in-law, Alwin Richmond.

A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. The Rev. Kip Murphy will officiate. Burial will be in the North English Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Memorials may be given to the family or First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.