Bessie Mae “MawMaw” Fontenot

Bessie Mae “MawMaw” Fontenot, 92, of Beaumont, died Monday, September 2, 2024, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. She was born on October 30, 1931, to Constance Thibodeaux Miller and Sidney Dominic Miller, in Beaumont, Texas.

She grew up in a large, Cajun family with her eight brothers and sisters during the Great Depression.  Because of this, she was very frugal and not being wasteful was something that stayed with her all her life. She grew up in Beaumont and attended St. Anthony Catholic School.

Bessie married Gilbert (deceased) in 1955. When Gilbert joined the United States Army, Bessie assumed her role as homemaker and took great pride in keeping a tidy home. She immersed herself in “Army life”, including living abroad in Germany and Hawaii, where their two sons (Richard And Sidney) were born. They met many lifelong friends in the Army.

Once they settled back home in Beaumont, Bessie continued to pursue her love of traveling. She and Gilbert traveled all over the United States in their trailer. She kept a detailed travel dairy that included how much money they spent down to the penny.

Bessie was a devout Catholic and prayed the Rosary daily. She was very involved in the St. Pius Ladies Club in the 70’s. She later joined St. Anne Catholic Church.

She was the epitome of Cajun cooking and spent hours in the kitchen cooking for her loved ones. She loved gardening and feeding the birds in her yard. She was competitive by nature and loved many games and sports (especially Texas teams such as the Cowboys and the Astros). She and Gilbert loved bowling in leagues and won many of trophies. Her favorite outing in later years was going to “the boat” to play slot machines. She enjoyed her nightly ritual of eating ice cream and Kroger couponing.

She was as tenacious as they come and always insisted things be done HER WAY! Most of us realized it was easier to succumb and let her have her way.

Survivors include her children, Richard Fontenot and his wife, Kathy, of Nederland and Sidney Fontenot of Beaumont; grandchildren, Chris Fontenot and his wife, Rebekah; Michael Fontenot and his wife, Alison; K.C. Trimble; Michelle Farnie and her husband, Adam; and Nicole Fontenot; great-grandchildren, Chase, Tyler, Colton, Hunter, William, Kaitlyn, Hudson, and Liam; and numerous extended family members, friends, and loved ones throughout the years.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gilbert Fontenot; and eight siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, 2780 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77703 give online.

A gathering of Mrs. Fontenot’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with  Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Friday, September 6, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.