Betty Lou Bradford Kibodeaux

Betty Lou Bradford Kibodeaux, 84, of Silsbee, went to her heavenly home on December 18, 2024.

She was born on April 4, 1940, in Nashville, Arkansas, to Lucy Jane Cornish McClure Bradford and Thomas “Mack” Luther Bradford.

She grew up in Arkansas, moved to Texas to help her sister with her three young daughters and graduated from Vidor High School in 1959. During her senior year, she met her sweetheart, Wilbert, while working as a candy girl at the Jefferson Theater. Betty was so enthralled with her French-speaking beau, they eloped the night of her graduation on June 4,1959 to avoid her moving back to Arkansas.

Betty began her food management career at Hotel Dieu in downtown Beaumont, Texas and was instrumental in setting up and running the food service and cafeteria of St. Elizabeth Hospital when it moved to its current location in 1962. She completed her career working as a clerical assistant for First City Bank.

She was a long-time member of Rosedale Baptist Church in Beaumont and served on many committees throughout the years.

She found great joy spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Trips made to Arkansas for family reunions where among her most cherished memories.

Survivors include her daughter, Melisa Myers and husband, Lowell, of Silsbee; son, Michael Kibodeaux of Beaumont; six grandchildren, Amber Smith and husband, Jeff; David Myers and wife, Rachelle; Rebecca Crain and husband, Zac; Bethany Taylor and husband, Eli; Ashley Kibodeaux; and Allison “Tina” Kibodeaux; five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Jacob, and Addalyn Smith, Ella and Rhett Myers; brother, JL Bradford of Nashville, Arkansas; and sister, Patsy Whitehead and husband, Floyd, of Genoa, Arkansas.

Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-six years, Wilbert Kibodeaux; parents; brothers, Rufus “Buster” Bradford and his wife, Viola; Jewel McClure and his wife, Fern; Edwin Bradford and his wife, Georgia; Wayne Bradford and his wife, Lorraine; Junior Bradford and his wife, Elsie; RV Bradford; and William “Larkin” Bradford and his wife, Mary; sisters, Ruby McDaniel and her husband, Isaac; Elsie Lakey and her husband, Delbert “Buddy”; Linda Hockaday; Shirley Bradford; and sister-in-law, Virginia Bradford.

A gathering of Betty’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2024, with her funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. at Rosedale Baptist Church, 7110 Concord Road, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at R.S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery, Silsbee, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.