Thelma Josephine Dugas Lowe

Thelma Josephine Dugas Lowe, 99, of Nome, was surrounded by family when she left this earth to be with her Lord in Heaven Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. She was born on May 7, 1926, to Anise Creader Dugas and Frank Dugas, in Nome. She was married on December 20, 1941, and celebrated sixty-three years of marriage to her late husband, D.B.”Buck” Lowe.

During her early years she enjoyed going to school and competed in Picture Memory competition. Since her mother was ill while she was young, she had to help at home and didn’t finish her education. However, as an adult she earned her diploma, and she was so proud of her accomplishment.

One story she often shared was about Bonnie and Clyde coming to her home in Devers. She and her sisters were out playing, and a car drove across the field toward their house, because there was no road to the house. This couple got out and shared some fruit with them. This was so special, because they usually only got fruit at Christmas. The couple introduced themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Vest and drank two pots of coffee with her momma and daddy. After their deaths, her daddy recognized their photos in a newspaper story.

Most will remember her as a wonderful cook; she enjoyed cooking favorite dishes, especially gumbo, dirty rice and cornbread, for her family and friends until just recently. She retired as a cafeteria worker in the Hardin-Jefferson school district and referred to herself as a “Master Cook”. During WWII she worked in a munitions plant in Indiana. While her children were young, she even drove a rice truck to help support the family. As the family grew, farming became the family business during the growing season. Many will remember stopping by their farm stand to buy their delicious vegetables and watermelons.

She loved to travel to visit her family as they moved about the country and to the in-laws in Kentucky and Tennessee. She also enjoyed going on short trips to the beach or to see the bluebonnets. However, her favorite trip was to the Holy Land; she enjoyed sharing about her experiences of that trip.

She loved her family fiercely with the many enduring names, Momma, Mammaw to the older grandkids and MawMaw to the younger ones, and Aunt Thelma to the many nieces and nephews who loved her, and many of the students that she served calling her Mrs. Lowe. All of the grandchildren will argue that they were her “favorite”.  Everyone will tell you their favorite birthday present was a call from her with the famous birthday song.

Her faith in Jesus Christ was important to her, and she read and studied her Bible daily.  She encouraged her family and friends to become Christians and to serve others. She was a long-term member of Growing in Christ’s Image Church, serving as treasurer for several years. She would often help others with her offerings.

Survivors include her children, Lola Barraque and her husband, Carl, of Woodville and Philip Lowe of Crossett, Arkansas; grandchildren, Donna Shannon and her husband, Frank, of Silsbee; Jo Jacobson of Silsbee; Paula Grana and her husband, Bob, of Cedar Park; Kay Milberger and her husband, Will, of Bryan; Carl Barraque II and his wife, Robbie, of LaBelle; Ward Philip Lowe II and his wife, Charlotte, of China; Tonya Fleischauer and her husband, Tom, of Waco; Angie Blue and her husband, Chris, of Tucson, Arizona; Jack (JD) Lee of Panama City Beach, Florida; Christopher Kibodeaux and his wife, Katie, of Sour Lake; and Danielle Pham and her husband, Tommy, of Beaumont; great-grandchildren, Bridget Tidwell, Corey Shannon, Brandis Harris, John Grana, Heather Evans, Joshua Barraque, Garrett Barraque, Koby Lowe, Tanner Lowe, Hillary Hobson, Anna Marie Kibodeaux, and Wyatt Kibodeaux and twelve-great-great- grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, David Bert “Buck” Lowe; daughters, Suzette Lee and Karen Brown; daughter-in-law, Dona Lowe; grandson, Bryan Fleischauer; granddaughter, Tamela Walter; and six brothers and sisters; Theresa Kight, Alfonce Dugas, Alcee Dugas, Lillian Hargraves, Lorena Grandchampt and Mildred Sanders.

Memorial contributions may be made to Growing in Christ’s Image Church, 5175 Millholland Road, Sour Lake, Texas 77659.

A gathering of Mrs. Lowe’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 6, 2026, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at China Cemetery, China.