PORT NECHES — Those who know Loretta Richards know she won’t sit still.

Dubbed a “ball of fire” by friends, Richards has touched many lives from her 50-plus years at the Pompano Club/Benton’s as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and as a dear friend.

“She is always the bright shining light everywhere,” friend Carol Ann Doty said in a letter that earned Richards the title Port Neches Mother of the Year. “I’ve personally witnessed Loretta’s ability to mentor, nurture, encourage and empower numerous individuals over the years; most importantly mothering those who became ill, taking them to appointments, cleaning their homes … all because she loves everyone.”

Doty went on to talk about the countless weekends and holidays her friend worked before heading home to her own family, celebrating every occasion.

The Port Neches Mother of the Year is awarded during the last day of RiverFest and is a surprise to the honoree and Richards was indeed surprised. She recalled her husband getting a phone call the night before and he was talking in front of her — nothing suspicious. Afterward, they made arrangements to visit Port Neches Riverfront Park that Sunday, where they would meet their son. Richards thought it was a wonderful idea because Sunday was her husband’s birthday and this would allow the couple to visit with their son at the festival.

Then they ran into their granddaughter there and she thought, “Oh, they’re coming for my husband’s birthday.” Then she ran into some more family members, then a former co-worker and some friends.

“I just thought I was running into people I knew,” Richards said.

She was asked to walk over near the stage, too, which she found odd because she “can’t sing.”

Then the announcement was made.

“I was in shock when they told me. I didn’t know I was nominated at all. I cried and cried and after I calmed down I realized what an honor in my life this is,” she said. “It touched my heart and meant a lot to me. It really did mean a lot to me.”

Doty’s nomination letter also spoke of what Richards means to others and of her strength.

“Loretta is definitely the sweet soul who has brought unity and structure to her wonderful family,” she said. “A fabulous cook, always sharing with friends and neighbors and those in need. This year Loretta is fighting breast cancer; challenging it with the fierceness she has had in her soul for 77 years.”

Richards said she is not one to sit around and do nothing; she’s always busy and she likes to help others. She has cut neighbors’ yards, painted their homes, created flowerbeds for them, clothed and fed those in need and more.

“People say ‘you’re a ball of fire’ and ‘when I get your age I hope I have that kind of energy,’” she said.