Vonda Renee Chelette, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on December 5, 2025, at the age of 59.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Claybar Funeral Home Orange in Orange, Texas.
A funeral service will follow on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Winfree Baptist Church, also in Orange. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.
Born on March 9, 1966, Baton Rouge General Hospital. Vonda made her mark on the world through her faith, trials and tribulations with an amazing childhood of Christian School educational programs to Christian summer camps and multiple mission trips bringing KJV Bibles to Mexico spreading the Gospel on that old rickety bus regularly breaking down along the trip. She had a fulfilling career and a rich family life, as the daughter of James M. Foster Sr. and Zada Lea (Courtney). Vonda had her heart set on attending Hyles-Anderson Christian University, she attended for two years and continued furthering her education back home at LSU. While working at a local print shop in Baton Rouge she met her first husband and father of her daughter, Emily. Vonda started her career in sales and worked her way up to an account executive for Estée Lauder before making a transition to selling insurance with a mid county State Farm agent for several years. However, her heart ultimately led her to what she considered her greatest achievement: being a homemaker and partner to her loving husband, Randall Chelette often traveling all over Texas and multiple States assisting him with his job. She quickly became known around the state of Texas in the on-site wastewater industry as the beautiful, charming and always cornball funny wife of Randy Chelette attending conferences and classes. She helped people get signed in and comfortable in highly stressful educational situations. Her calming Southern charm and sweet voice just seemed to put nervous students at ease before a class or test. Vonda also dedicated herself to baking, cooking, and serving others with her church family and friends, sharing her light, warmth and generosity with all who knew her.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Randall Chelette; children, Emily Riley and Brandy Chelette; granddaughter, Barbara “Barbie” Riley; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Zada Foster, and her brother James Foster II.