Evelyn Marlin Lord
Evelyn M. Lord, former Mayor of Beaumont, 98, died peacefully at her residence following a short illness on Friday, December 13, 2024.
She was born December 8, 1926 in Melrose, Massachusetts to Mary Janette Nourse and John Joseph Marlin.
She grew up in Medford, Massachusetts and graduated in 1944 from Medford High School and from Boston University in 1948 with a BA in Romance Languages. She was president of her class in her Junior Year and a member of the All University Student Senate and Sigma Kappa Sorority.
Evelyn met Samuel during World War II at an ROTC dance at Tufts University in 1945 and married him in February 1948. They lived in Bound Brook, New Jersey for the first year of their marriage where Sam was employed by the DuPont Company. They then moved back to Massachusetts so that Sam could pursue his Ph.D at M.I.T.
Evelyn worked at M.I.T. until the birth of her first son, Steven Arthur, in June of 1950. She and Sam welcomed a second son, Jonathan Peter, in April of 1952, and Sam graduated from M.I.T. in June of the same year. The family then moved to Wilmington, Delaware while Sam, returning to the DuPont Company, worked at the Experimental Station in Wilmington.
Evelyn became active in the newly formed League of Women Voters, becoming the president of the Wilmington League. She was also vice president of the Delaware Parents and Teachers Association, resigning from both of these state-wide organizations to run for and become a member of the Delaware State Senate in 1962. Three more children were added to the family while in Delaware, son, Nathaniel Edward in 1955, daughter, Victoria Marlin in 1958, and son, William Kenneth in 1963.
Sam was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky in 1965. Evelyn then attended the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law, graduating in June of 1969. While at Law school, she was the administrative editor of the Law School Journal, clerked for the County Attorney as a law clerk, and worked as administrative assistant to the County Judge of Jefferson County, Kentucky. She also served as president of the Kentuckiana Girl Scout Council and as vice president of the Louisville League of Women Voters.
After graduation, Evelyn continued to work with the County Judge in Louisville, later becoming interim head of the Hospital District and of the Jefferson County Improvement District. Her career with County government was cut short by her husband’s transfer to Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Evelyn became active in Londonderry serving with the Red Cross Meals on Wheels and as Chairman of the Londonderry Save the Children Fund. She was chairman of the Drumahoe chapter of the Women’s Institute and represented the country on the Board of the Associated Country Women of the World in London. She also was a delegate to international conventions of the ACWW in Birmingham, England and in Denmark.
While residing in Londonderry, she wrote a weekly column for Delaware’s The Wilmington Journal entitled “The Derry Diary,” concerning the effects of the political turmoil there on everyday life.
Upon Sam’s transfer to Beaumont, Texas in 1975, Evelyn again became active in the local League of Women Voters and served on the board of the Texas State League. She was a Legal Administrator for Orgain, Bell & Tucker. Her interest remained highest, however, in matters at the local level, and she then became president of the Beaumont LWV. Resigning from the local League board in order to preserve the League’s nonpartisan standing, she ran for, and was elected to, Beaumont City Council in 1980. She became Mayor Pro Tem in 1982 and announced her plan to run for Mayor in 1984. Once again, DuPont upset her plans with the transfer of her husband once more to Northern Ireland.
Back in Londonderry, she resumed her activities with the Women’s Institute and the Save the Children Fund. This term abroad, Sam and Evelyn made much of their opportunity to travel to many parts of the world and to study many different cultures.
Sam retired after finishing his assignment in Northern Ireland, and the couple made the decision to return to Beaumont, Texas. Evelyn immediately jumped back into civic affairs and ran for and was elected Mayor of Beaumont in 1990 and again in 1992. She also was active in other organizations, serving as President of the United Way and as a charter member of the Foundation for Southeast Texas.
Evelyn was called to serve again as Mayor of Beaumont in 2000 and served her fourth and final term in 2002. During her third term as Mayor, Evelyn served as chairman of the Spindletop Centennial Commission.
The most important thing to Evelyn was the future and welfare of the young people in her community. To that end, she served on the boards of the Boy Scouts Three Rivers Council and the San Jacinto Council of the Girl Scouts and created the Evelyn M Lord Teen Court.
Evelyn was the recipient of many awards, including the Boy Scouts Silver Beaver award, the Athena Award given by the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, and Man of the Year at the Neches River Festival.
Many friends were special to Evelyn throughout her life, including a group of women who met monthly and called themselves the HPGs. Evelyn also wishes to thank her many wonderful caregivers, Linda, Jana, Kaitlin, and Shirley, the Altus Hospice caregivers, and especially her longtime friends and aides, Beverly Barnes and Katherine Leister.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Samuel S. Lord, Jr. of Beaumont; her sister, Betty Marlin Gates (husband Ralph, deceased) of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts; and sons, Steven Arthur Lord (wife Cheryl, deceased) of Batavia, Ohio; Jonathan Peter Lord (wife Diane) of Louisville, Kentucky; and Nathaniel Edward Lord (wife Sacha) of Claremont, California.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Victoria Lord Murphy (David) of Tyler; son, William Kenneth Lord (Angela) of Longview; brother, Paul Richard Marlin (Virginia) of Reading, Massachusetts; ten grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for Southeast Texas, Evelyn and Sam Lord Endowed Fund, 700 North Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
A gathering of Mrs. Lord’s family and friends will begin 10:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont. A private family graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Gathering of Family and Friends
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
- 1350, N 23rd St, Beaumont, TX, 77706,
- December 17, 2024
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Funeral Service
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
- 1350, N 23rd St, Beaumont, TX, 77706,
- December 17, 2024
- 11:00 am
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
Evelyn Lord will go down in history as of the finest Mayors that Beaumont, Texas has ever had. She certainly put her heart and soul Into everything she ever did. If you were having a conversation with her, she gave you 100% of herself. She did not go along to get along either and with passion, charisma, and love, she stood her grounds for what was right. She was a strong advocate for abused and neglected Southeast Texas children and was a dedicated supporter of Buckner Children
and Family Services. I recall asking her to be our keynote speaker at our 125th anniversary where she graciously accepted. Through no fault of her own, she tripped on stage over a cord and broke her nose. I felt so bad for her and she continuously reassured me in the weeks and months that followed that she was just fine, and joked about how it probably made her nose better. She found humor and everything and enjoyed bringing laughter into the world. When I think of Miss Evelyn I think of a first class lady who is witty, charming, intelligent and someone who I will admire all the days of my life. It has been my great pleasure to know you. Rest in peace dear friend.
Godspeed Mayor Lord!
I had the distinct honor of serving on the Mayor’s Youth Commission during high school and was elected as one of the co-chairs representing Central Senior High School. Mayor Lord was always engaging and supportive of us throughout those formative years. Some of us also participated in teen court via the commission, held in the Jefferson County Courts.
She wrote letters of support for me for scholarship applications during my undergraduate application process. I hate to have lost contact with her after graduating from professional school.
Mayor Lord, you were special and will be missed.
I, too, served with Evelyn on the Gladys City Celebration where I became an instant admirer. A few years later I was honored to serve on the founding board of Beaumont Community Partnership for Children serving the children and caseworkers of Child Protective Services. Such a dedicated lady. On of my favorite memories is of one November she had to bow out of hosting the Symphony Supper Club leaving just two of us to carry on. Shortly afterwards she invited us to their home for dinner, complete with beautiful crystal, linens and silver. Upon leaving she gifted us with beautiful little Christmas ornaments she had brought from Ireland. They grace our tree today. My last visit with Evelyn was a year ago at a holiday party. We had a wonderful time going down memory lane but at time to leave I became teary eyed. I tried to tell her what she meant to me but couldn’t speak. In a very strong voice she said “Say it, say it.” I was able to reply that she was such an inspiration and her reply was “I think we inspired each other.” The impact she had on others, in so many walks of life, will be passed on for generations.
One of my favorite friends ever! Wonderful and fun to joke with. So witty and sharp. Loved Sam too.
My condolences to the family.
Bill- I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so glad my mom was able to visit during this past year. Your mom was a great role model.
Jill Liming York
Many years ago I was an English as a Second Language elementary teacher. Evelyn Lord was Mayor and I invited her to visit my classes. She accepted and I prepared my student for her visit. Within a few minutes, my more fluent English speaking students asked her questions and she asked them questions. Evelyn Lord was one of those rare people who reached out to everyone with warmth and respect. After she left the students were so impressed that she remembered their names. What a fine lady and a gift to Beaumont!
I had the honor and privilege of working side by side with Evelyn during the planning of the Spindletop 100th Celebration. What a lady! She was such a great leader; organized, focused and always had a vision. We need more women like her for young women today to look up to.
Awesome lady! 💔
Just a lovely woman! Loved working with her and her guidance as a young executive was so amazing. You will be missed.
Condolences to the family! I have many fond memories Evelyn.
Deepest Condolences…
Best Mayor Beaumont ever had or will have…
Thank you for your service, Rest in Peace
Rest in peace, Mrs. Lord. I enjoyed the times I got to visit with you and Mr. Lord. I will keep the family in my prayers.
As I posted on Facebook, Mrs. Lord was an incredible lady, a dedicated and honorable public servant and a friend to so many. She was my first interview as a reporter/videographer at Channel 12 and the story was about the last day of her second term as Mayor of Beaumont. Through the years, we kept in touch, she would always comment about my investigative articles and made herself available for comment any time I needed it. But I enjoyed it much more just listening to her share her life stories and experiences. Most people will never know how much she loved Beaumont and how she worked so hard to make the city better for everyone. She will be missed.
Mayor Lord was one of the most amazing women I have ever known. I was fortunate enough to be a reporter during her term as Mayor and she was so great to cover and work with. She has left a lasting legacy on our community and all of us who were lucky enough to know her.
Godspeed Mayor!
Ms. Lord was one of the most amazing women I ever met. She was a true leader, especially as Mayor. She will be missed but definitely left her legacy in SETX. RIP.
Prayers for the family.
I met Evelyn Lord when she surprised me and showed up at my door because she was interested in a local magazine called SPOTLIGHT Magazine that I was publishing and she supported it financially, becoming a faithful subscriber. She was such an amazing lady and I always had fond memories of her.
Knowing Evelyn has always been one of the Joy’s of our life. Her intelligence and incredible spirt have been an enfluence on so many. There are not enough words to fully express how much we have admired her.
Sally and Howard Nichols
Evelyn Lord was the finest public servant I have ever met. She was, by any definition, a stateswoman, a caring and tireless supporter of any community in which she happened to live, and she and Sam chose to return to Beaumont after his retirement. She was lovely, erudite, smart, quick-witted and if you were lucky enough to be considered her friend, you could be secure that you might have been living all right.
Thank you, Evelyn, for it all.