Mr. Riki Renaul Steward

Riki Renaul Steward was born July 8,1952, in Victoria, Texas. He was the fourth child to the late Elga Willie Steward Sr. and Herrnerstine Ella Williams Steward.

Riki was raised in Palestine Baptist Church, attended Hopkins Elementary and Patty Welder Middle School in Victoria, Texas. The family moved to Houston in 1964 and Riki attended Cullen Middle School and graduated from Jack Yates Sr. High School in 1970. He attended Texas Southern University before enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he was trained as a vehicle operator.

He returned home to Houston and later married Valeda, who preceded him in death. Riki and Shelia Patt.on were married in 1979 and to this union a beautiful daughter, Antoinette Nicole Steward, was born.
Riki was employed at Debakey Veterans Hospital in Foods Services until his retirement in 2019. While at the Veterans Hospital Riki made lots of friends. In fact, during his illness, he was admitted to the VA and his friends would slip him his favorite foods from the cafeteria.

In 2017 Riki was no longer able to live alone so he moved in with his sister, Renee. During that time his close cousin and friend, Jesse "Bubba" Dunston, helped Renee to care for him. Riki accepted his illness with courage and strength. He recovered from several close calls and fought tmtil the very end. On October 3, 2024, he went on to be with the Lord.

Riki is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Elga Willie Steward Jr. and Ronald Samuel Ray Steward.