Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On August 3, 1954, Urona Arnetta “Penu” Pradia was born to Mr. and Mrs. Theo and Bernice Pradia at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur, TX. At an early age, Urona accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, was raised Lutheran, and attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on 14^th Street. She later converted to Baptist as an adult and was baptized at Lakeside Park Church of Christ, in her residential community of Lakeside Park, where she resided on Cashmere Drive.

Known affectionately as “Penu” to all, she had a passion for listening to R&B oldies non-stop each day while rocking softly in her seat, wearing her red lipstick with a beverage in her hand. She loved to sing and dance, talk loud and fast, make daily phone calls to check on loved ones, spread cheer with her infectious laughter, and cook hearty meals. She was an active cook for over 20 years at both Papa John’s Fried Chicken in Alford’s Supermarket and B&L Supermarket in Port Acres, as well as Airport Towers until her early retirement. As she had no kids of her own, she poured all her love into her nieces and nephews as their “Bonus Mom” which were her kids in spirit – all of her “sugar woogars.” Penu also enjoyed sitting on balconies with her youngest sister, Linda, in which the two shared a very special bond. Lastly, her trademarked phrases throughout conversations consisted of her passionately saying: “Hey my baby. I’m blessed and highly favored and may the Lord bless you real good!” – Love you darling, Penu.

Urona answered God’s calling on Saturday, November 16, 2024, peacefully at Cascades at Senior Rehab in Port Arthur, TX at the age of 70. She was a resident of Port Arthur, TX all her life and attended Stephen F. Austin High School where she graduated in 1972.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Theo and Bernice Pradia; maternal grandparents, Harvey George Robinson and Laura Darwin; paternal grandparents, Mayo Pradia and Jennie Gums; one sister, Laquinta (Pradia) Antoine; one niece, Josslynn Banks; and a host of aunts, uncles, and close first cousins (The Lute and Linton Families).

She leaves to cherish her sweet memories: two sisters, Donna (Pradia) Jones [Dwight] and Linda (Pradia) Matthews, all of Port Arthur, TX; seven nieces & nephews, Lloynetta Artis [Shawn “Marcelle” Sr.] of San Antonio, TX, Lynette Perry [Raydo] and Lloyd Antoine, Jr., all of Killeen, TX, Jefferey Matthews, Sr. [Sarah] of Nederland, TX, Queva Pizarro [David Sr.] and Micaella “Candy” Jones, all of Houston, TX, and Christina Banks [Derrian Sr.] of Port Arthur, TX; 15 great nieces and nephews, Devin, Darian, Lloyd III, Shanice, Shawn Jr., David Jr., Leilani, Eliana, Tierra, Tiana, Roselynn, Heidynn, Derrian Jr., Cameron, and Jefferey Jr.; three great-great nieces and nephews, Kymari, Tavion, and Tatum; and five aunts and uncles, Elvin Pradia [Virgie] of New Iberia, LA, Alfretta (Robinson) Earnest of Chino, CA, Harvey L. Robinson [Joyce] of Port Arthur, TX, Albert G. Robinson [Dorothy] of Albuquerque, NM, and Solomon Robinson [Mary] of Los Angeles, LA.

Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Barnes Memorial United Methodist Church, 749 W. 17^th Street, Port Arthur, TX 77640; Rev. Donald R. Bonnie, Officiating.