Mildred Lazenby Richter

Mildred Lazenby Richter March 1, 1908 - april 25, 2008 Mildred Lazenby Richter, 100, of Waco, passed away Friday, April 25, 2008, at Providence Hospital. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Oakwood Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Attas officiating. Mildred was born March 1, 1908. She was the daughter of Walter N. and Pearl C. Lazenby, a Waco pioneer family, and niece of the first elected mayor of Waco. She was also the niece of Robert Sherman Lazenby, who perfected a soft drink formula and named it "Dr Pepper." He built the first Dr Pepper plant in Waco, later moving the executive offices and plant to Dallas. The original plant is now the Dr Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute, of which Mrs. Richter was named Charter Associate in 1991, in recognition of her support since its inception. Mildred graduated from the Waco Academy, later attending Baylor University. She married Charles Montgomery Richter on June 5, 1928, and enjoyed a happy marriage until his death in January 1981. They had a daughter, Roseann Richter, who died on March 10, 1953, at the age of 24. Mildred, a long time member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, was known and loved by many friends throughout her life. Known as "Meme," she was deeply loved and treasured by the family she left behind. Mildred turned 100 on March 1 of this year, and celebrated at her St. Katherine's residence with her family. Special surprises included a congratulatory letter from President and Mrs. Bush, as well as a personal visit from Waco Mayor, Virginia DuPuy. Survivors include a niece, Dorothy Lazenby Heap of Dallas; two nephews, Walter Williams and wife, Betty of Houston and Robert Lazenby of Longview; as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews including William Heap and wife, Marilyn of Dallas, Dr. Tom Heap and wife, Maria of Houston, Linda Moody of Longview, Lynn Graves and husband, John of Houston, and Cynthia Davis of Houston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey