Nita Chavis

Nita Roberts Chavis, was born on October 7, 1931 to Phillip and Victoria (Thierry) Roberts in Frilot Cove, Louisiana. She was 3rd of 11 children; she was baptized at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana in 1931. Throughout her youth she desired to become a nun and or a teacher in the church but was called instead to become a mother, wife, and perform God’s work in other capacities. Nita accepted Christ at an early age and was an active and dedicated member of the Catholic Church.

On November 26, 1949 she married Calvin J. Thomas, Sr. in Plaisance, Louisiana and from this union they had 5 sons, John Allen Thomas, Calvin Joseph Thomas, Jr., Michael James Thomas, Edward Paul Thomas, and Matthew Wayne Thomas. In 1953 she and her family moved to Beaumont, TX where they would establish homes, lives, and careers spanning decades. In 1972 Nita joined Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church where she met and married Cleveland Chavis in 1973.

After joining Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church she became an active parishioner participating in various committees and serving wherever she was most needed. She worked the prison ministry, Angel Tree, participated in ACTS and the African American ministry in the diocese. Nita worked as a domestic worker and later a nurse’s aide while studying to earn her GED. She received her GED in 1979 through Lamar University which was a source of pride for her to accomplish this educational feat. From that point on she worked diligently, continuously training and studying to improve her mind and career aspirations. Nita was employed by Beaumont ISD where she served as a cafeteria worker from 1979-1989; she then worked as a nutritional food manager for DARC (Drug and Alcohol Abuse Recovery Center) where she was loved and everyone called her “MOM” until she retired 1996.

She was a lifelong learner and never met a stranger; she opened up her heart and often her home to all. She enjoyed life to its fullest which usually encompassed family, friends, food, and ministry. She is preceded in death by her father Phillip Roberts, mother Victoria (Thierry) Roberts, ex-husband Calvin J Thomas, ex-husband Cleveland Chavis, son Michael James Thomas, grandson Michael James Thomas Jr., granddaughter Tamika Edwards, sister in law Patricia A. Roberts, and many of her sisters and brothers.

Nita R Chavis was a devout Christian who passes her love of God, beliefs, and values to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She leaves to cherish her memory; siblings Antoine Lawrence Roberts of Beaumont, Texas; Alice Mae Durrisseau of Beaumont, Texas; son(s) John A. Thomas (Connye) of Beaumont, Texas; Calvin J. Thomas, Jr of Conroe, Texas; Edward Paul Thomas (Odessa) of Tacoma, Washington; Matthew Wayne Thomas (Lisa) of Conroe, Texas. Grandchildren, Darrell Thomas and Aneshia Thomas of Kansas City, Missouri; Hanta Thomas of Austin, Texas; April and Amber Thomas of Conroe, Texas; Seselia and Sophia Thomas of Tacoma, Washington; Kong and Peter Lefeau of Spanaway, Washington; Thelma Thomas (Clifton) of Beaumont, Texas; Geneva Siegle of Seattle, Washington; Melissa Sneed of Houston, Texas; Misty Thomas of Beaumont, Texas, and a host of great, great-great, great-great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation and viewing for Ms. Chavis’ family and friends will be from 5:00 pm. until 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2018, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. A final viewing is scheduled from 10:00-10:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, Texas 77705. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.