Gloria Juanita Bourgeois Herford

Gloria Juanita Bourgeois Herford went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 24,2022 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, surrounded by her loving family.

Juanita married Morris Joseph Bourgeois on January 21, 1949, to February 16, 1992, when he passed away.

She married Jim Herford April 15, 1996, to September 13, 2020, when he passed away.

We had an amazing time visiting with our family today, and so many wonderful memories were shared about Nita. Every time a story was shared; smiles were on all of our faces.

Anyone who knew her, also knew how much she loved crafts! She and Bush once owned a business by the name of Bee’s Crafts. To this day, we all have some of their amazing woodwork in our homes.

Each year, we were all super blessed to receive the most incredible cards that were handmade by Nita. Whether it be a Birthday, Christmas, or any other special occasion, she was so happy to make cards for people and to know that she made them smile. I know that her family loved them so much! These are and will always be priceless to each of us!

Oh, the many trips that Nita and Bush would go on with her brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Frances. They went to Nashville, Dollywood, Branson Arkansas and so many other beautiful destinations. Nita absolutely loved to travel and took more pictures than you could imagine. They made some amazing memories!

Her boys, Mark and Danny were everything to her, until she took her very last breath. She has always gone above and beyond for them, even as adults. Each Christmas, she would always make sure that she made their most favorite desserts! She would make Mark a homemade marble cake and millionaires, and she would make Danny chocolate pound cake and homemade fudge. Those boys always knew how much their momma loved them!

Bessie Kyle was Nita’s very best friend. They were always very close for so many years. They enjoyed their talks, their visits, and each other’s families. They went through everything together and always helped one another through it all. Bessie was like an Aunt to all of Nita’s kids, just as Bessie’s kids were to Nita.

Our family never did have what most would call a traditional Christmas Dinner. We always had roast, rice, gravy, and NIta’s famous homemade rolls. Her rolls were delicious and there isn’t another soul that could come close to her cooking. Each of her kids and grandkids had their own special dishes, and she always made them with so much love!

Nita thought so much of each of her nieces and nephews, and she had a bond with each one of them. She treated them, as if they were her own. Before her son Mark went to be with the Lord, he would call his momma every night at 9pm. She was so lost without those calls. Her niece Gloria started calling her each night at 8pm. This helped Nita so much, and she truly enjoyed their long talks.

She never did meet a stranger. In fact… If she met you once, you became her friend for life. She appreciated her friends and always made sure that they knew it! You could always count on Nita to make a dessert or soup for someone, just because or for someone feeling under the weather. She and her friends would have gatherings, where they shared timeless laughs.

She cherished her time with her daughter in law, Brenda. They had so many wonderful times each week. Her daughter-in-law, Tammie would talk with her each morning. She would always check on us and see what was new with everyone. She was much more than just a mother-in-law to Brenda and Tammie. When they lost their mom’s, Nita made sure to always be there for them in any way needed. Their bond with Nita was unbreakable!

Nita had four brothers, Eugene, Eddy, Pete, and Marion. Nita was the only girl out of 5 kids, and she was very protective of her brothers. She was also very close to their wives, her sweet sister in laws.… Frances, Theresa, and Carmen. Anytime that she was able to travel to Groesbeck, she would make sure to visit with everyone. Eleanor, Audrey, and Sis were her sister in laws from her first marriage and she truly treasured her time with them all through the years. The memories made will always be precious.

Her grandchildren and her great grandchildren will forever and always be blessed beyond measures with the best memories ever with their Mama. She made sure to make them all feel so loved. She loved to play cards and board games with them, make special baked goodies, and anything else that they wanted her to make for them. Some of them loved to drink coffee with her in the mornings, and those that didn’t always knew that she stocked the fridge with all their favorite drinks. They will always be grateful for the times that they had with her and the memories made that will last an entire lifetime!

Nita will be missed by everyone who ever had the privilege of coming in contact with her. Her smile was contagious, her heart always willing to love, her willingness to forgive, and her patience and understanding that she gave to her family. We know that she knew how loved she was, as we always made sure to tell her. We will love her forever and find comfort in knowing that we will see her again one day!

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Brenda Bourgeois; daughter-in-law, Tammie Bourgeois; sister-in-law, Eleanor Williamson and husband, Edgar; 5 grandchildren, Clay and Lori, Cody and Julie, Brandi and Rusty, Joe and Kelsey, Casey and Samantha; 13 great-grandchildren, Terrin, Josh, Trey, Kaylee, Jordyn, Hadyn, Tyler, Emrey, Austin, Brayden, Trevor, Tucker, and Luke; stepsons, Doug and Tina Herford, Ernest and Sharon Herford and families; nieces and nephews, Cathy Harrell and kids, Charlie and Michael, Keith and Kristen Williamson and kids, Katie, Sam, Abby, Maggie, Jody and Shanna and kids, Justin, Ashley, and Travis, Gloria and Jack Franklin, and daughter Kim, Gary and Kandy Dick and daughters, Juliann, Amy Lynn, Robin, Holli, Kelli, and son Marshall, Janet Dick and son Logan, Laura and George Johnson and daughters, Kristina and Lindsey.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Mark David Bourgeois; first husband, Morris Joseph Bourgeois, Jr.; second husband, Jim Herford; parents, Jake and Stella Dick; brother, Eugene Dick and wife, Frances; brother, Eddy Dick and wife, Theresa; brother, Pete Dick; brother, Marion Dick; nephew, Glenn Dick; sisters-in-law, Audrey Bourgeois and Velta (Sis) and husband, Alton Miller; and brother-in-law, Duryea Bourgeois.

A gathering of Mrs. Herford’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 12:00 p.m., Monday, November 28, 2022, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Sour Lake.