Bernida Elizabeth Viator

Bernida Elizabeth Viator, 80, of Beaumont, died Friday, October 8, 2021, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. She was born on October 19, 1940, to Louise Miller Dies and Harry Dies, in Church Point, Louisiana.

Bernida had been a regional manager of Gulf States Theatres from San Antonio, Texas, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and manager of the Winnie Dairy Queen. She also worked for Dr. Benski in Nederland, was an x-ray technician at the Winnie hospital, secretary for Evangelist, Larry Meaux, in Winnie, and was one of God’s many devoted prayer warriors.

When Bernida wasn’t working she was an excellent fast pitch softball player, enjoyed camping and fishing, painting, photography, and shopping. She was a wonderful cook and baker and also loved to sew, crochet, and quilt. Bernida was a very competitive card shark and was a Mario Cart enthusiast. She was often gardening and growing flowers and plants. Bernida loved both nature and animals.

Survivors include her husband of sixty-three years, Larry J. Viator; children, Mark Viator of Beaumont; Marcia Smith and her husband, Grant, of Anahuac; Marty Viator and his wife, Paula of Geismar, Louisiana; and Marelina Hudson and her husband, Tim, of Beaumont; grandchildren, Amanda DeJohn and her husband, Lance; Erin Blank and her husband, Jonathan; Bethany Tanner and her husband, Will; Whitney Viator; Ronnie Joe Brown, Jr.; Delana Brown; Derrick Viator and his partner, Kayla Melancon; Danielle Sutton and her husband, Lloyd; Courtney Hudson; Brandon Hudson and his wife, Aly; Andrea Wong and her husband, Aaron; Haley Thornton; Ashlyn Smith; and Holden Smith; twenty-two great-grandchildren with one on the way; one great-great-grandchild on the way; sister, Linda Moyer and her husband, Rick; brother, Tommy Dies and his wife, Anna; brother-in-law, Keith Viator and his wife, Sue; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Cassie.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Hubert, Robert, and David Dies; and grandson, Cody Viator.

A gathering of Mrs. Viator’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 22, 2021, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.

Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event, you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov.