Gloria Mount

Gloria Dale “Granny” Mount, 76, of Sour Lake, died Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont with her family by her side. A native and lifelong resident of Sour Lake, she was born on April 23, 1941, to Bessie Jane VanHook and Lawrence Alton Broussard.

Gloria attended school in Sour Lake until fifth grade when she moved to Midland. She frequently told the story of how she, Alice, Alan, and Sue rode on a mattress on the back of a flatbed truck all the way there. At 13, Gloria began working at the local drive-in movie theater. Elvis Presley played at her high school prom. In 1959, Gloria graduated from high school, only because her father had told her she wouldn’t. She loaded up and drove back to Sour Lake the day after graduation and couldn’t get home fast enough.

She lived with her stepdad, Van, and two younger brothers. One day while grocery shopping at the QP, Donald Wayne Mount first saw Gloria. Don asked her on numerous dates even though she turned him down every time. Somehow Don convinced Van to get Gloria to go on a date with him by having to bring her brothers as well. They continued to date, going on many double dates with his sister, Rose and her now-husband, Taylor. On December 3, 1965, Don and Gloria were married at the First United Methodist Church in Sour Lake, where they were faithful members. Together they lived in a garage apartment that Gloria hated because it was Pepto pink inside and out. Their first son, Todd, was born in June of 1969 and they bought their first home on Smith Street in 1971. Cristi was born in 1972 and shortly after, Don and Gloria were blessed with Laurie and Michelle.

Gloria and Don started Jay-Don Farms in 1980 which included a smokehouse, a restaurant with an arcade, a sandwich route, and lastly, Bevil Oaks Grocery. She worked for Citizens Bank as the bookkeeper for many years. After working weekends at Indian Creek Lodge for some time, they decided to move to Toledo Bend in 1991. Gloria loved to fish and enjoyed frequent rides out on the pontoon boat. They moved to Palestine briefly before returning to the lake. When Don was diagnosed with cancer in December of 2000, Gloria stood strong by his side as she always had. Gloria moved back to Sour Lake once again after Don passed in January 2001.

It was at this point that Gloria became known to everyone as Granny. She was always wherever and doing whatever the grandkids were doing. Because she was so active in their lives, she was also “Granny” to all their friends. No one ever left the house hungry, and if you did, she was quick to let you know that it was your own fault. A few of Granny’s most well-known cooking’s were spaghetti, sloppy joes, mashed potatoes, lemon pound cake, and of course, her made-from-scratch cornbread. Granny had a passion for helping other any way she could so she started volunteering with the Foster Grandparents program at Sour Lake Elementary. In her typical fashion, she cared for and loved her students as her own. When she wasn’t helping at the school, she was assisting at the church in any way she could. Granny held a position on the board at the church and was always ready to work.

Granny started having severe health problems in 2004 and was a true medical miracle to every doctor that saw her. Her faith in the Lord and her love for her family kept her strong for many more years. In 2010, Granny moved one last time into the Jefferson Nursing and Rehab Facility where she came to be loved by much of the staff. She was especially fond of Kendrah, Jermaine, Stephen, Katie, Dawn, Tina, Jordan, and Ian. Her family is eternally grateful for their love and care during her stay.

Gloria is survived by her children, Todd Mount and his wife, Tammy, of Beaumont; Cristi Arthur and Michelle Tanner and her husband, Clifford, both of Sour Lake; grandchildren, Courtney Yates and her husband, Cord; Mandi Hinson; Samantha Arthur; Morgan Mount; Whitney Tanner; Truett Tanner; Brian Luquette; and MMN1 Devin Korey Smith; great-grandchildren, Addison and Aaliyah; siblings, Alice Wilhoit, Alan Youngblood, Ray Broussard, Jim Hopkins, and Thomas VanHook; sister-in-law, Rose Ellison and her husband, Taylor; grandmother, Lorene Voan of Huntsville; and special family, Mike Rawls; Brittnee Carnes and her husband, Blake; Kagen Rawls; Ethan Cooper; and Colton Morris.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Wayne Mount; daughter, Laurie Ann Ryan; grandchildren, Christopher and Coty; and siblings, Sue Youngblood and Kay Barrow.

A gathering of Mrs. Mount’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 4, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Tucker, Blake Cruse, Ty Louviere, Drew Louviere, and Weston Louviere. A private family committal will be at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.