Janet Soileau Lopez
Janet Marie Lopez , 67, of Beaumont, died Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Focused Care at Summer Place, Beaumont. She was born on April 7, 1956, to Deola Guillory Soileau and Calvin Soileau in Winnie, Texas.
Jan was born and raised in Beaumont before moving to Houston as fast as she could to enjoy life in the fast lane. She loved to travel and experience new places and things. She was always ready for an adventure. She loved the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Cowboys. She loved music of all genres and loved to dance! She would meet her mom and sisters at the Crab Festival at Cystal Beach every Mothers’ Day. She modeled locally with Judy in her 20s. Her sisters remained her lifelong best friends. Phyllis followed Jan to Houston where they had many adventures of their own. Both Judy and Phyllis cared for Jan for years after her accident both physically and spiritually, making sure to always keep a smile on Jan’s face or laughing until they cried. And when Phyllis passed away of breast cancer in 2009, Judy and Jan leaned on each other. The last several years, Judy was at Jan’s bedside for hours a day every single day until her final breath, proving the unbreakable bond that sisters have. But don’t think they didn’t all have their fair share of sisterly disputes! Poor Carl was left to referee his 3 sisters many times! Brittany always said she was going to put Judy and Jan in the same room together at the nursing home so they could drive each other crazy!
While Jan was never blessed with children of her own, she stole Judy and Carl’s kids (and later their grandkids!) as much as she could. She was known as the “cool aunt”. She was the Godmother to her nephew, Shawn. Jody lived with Jan in Houston for a while after high school before joining the Air Force. Brittany lived for the weekends Aunt Jan would come get her and take her to Houston and do all the fun things like Astro World, Water World, Moody Gardens. She was known affectionately as Aunt Jan but probably her favorite name was JJ by her great nieces and nephews. During Covid, her great nieces and nephews kept her spirits up and kept her going by coming for numerous weekend visits to her room window and hanging signs and pictures and birdhouses they made her and bring plants to hang outside her window when we weren’t able to go inside and be with her.
Jan suffered a tragic fall 24 years ago at her lake house, which left her quadriplegic. She was only 43 years old. She spent many months at Memorial Hermann, not knowing if she would survive at times. And then from there she spent many more months at TIRR learning how to navigate her new life. While her life changed from that moment forward, she never lost her zest and determination. Jan never gave up and fought hard every single day. She was fiercely independent. She was given 10 years maximum to live but in true Jan fashion, she proved them wrong and lived much longer than that. While we are completely heartbroken and lost without her, we take such comfort and peace in knowing she is finally free from her earthly burdens, and we have no doubt she is already DANCING on the streets of gold to some zydeco music with her mom, dad, and sister.
Survivors include her brother, James Carl Soileau and his wife, Patricia, of Whitehouse; sister, Judy Soileau Ballew of Beaumont; nieces, Brittany Syphrett and husband, Daniel, of Sour Lake; and Angie Fuller and husband, Dan, of Tyler; and nephews, Joseph Brady, Jr. of Bossier City and Shawn Soileau and wife, Melissa, of Lewisville. She also leaves behind numerous great nieces and nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Calvin Soileau and Deola Soileau Silva and siblings; infant brother, Robert Wayne Soileau; and sister, Phyllis Soileau Murphy.
Jan’s family would like to give a very special thank you to Kenneth Craig for the many years of love and care he provided Jan. We would also like to thank the staff at Summer Place for their care over the last 9.5 years and a special thank you to Charlotte and Sugg. And lastly, we would like to thank Compassion Hospice, especially Allison, Elaine and Chaplain Pitre.
A memorial service for Ms. Lopez will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. There will be a reception to follow at Brittany and Daniel Syphrett’s home, 17387 Highway 326 North, Sour Lake, Texas.
Her cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
Memorial Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- January 27, 2024
- 10:00 am
My Aunt Jan, no blood relation, but I grew up with her as my Aunt. My mother and father are Bubba And Lorrie Wiggins, and because they were the best of friends. She was my Aunt. I will always remember her as my fun, silly, goofy Aunt. When we were little she was always around and had Jody with her a lot. I remember playing with him as a little girl. Even after her accident she was still my goofy Aunt. We always lived in the same neighborhood and would go to her house on Washington to help her out and run to the store for her and just sit by her in the bed and laugh out butts off. I can’t help but laugh right now because she was so crazy. The life of the party always. We love you Aunt Jan. I hope you are dancing in Heaven with your sister and your mom and dad. I also want to send condolences of behalf of my mother, Lorrie Wiggins. Momma is in a nursing home in Groves, Magnolia Manor. She will not be able to make it to the funeral.
I remember sweet Jan, my good friend in elementary and junior high. It was her smile, humor, and laughter making her so lovable and who could forget those amazing gymnastic moves! I wish I had known she was at Summer
Place where I often visited my uncle! My heart goes out to Judy and Carl and family. Love and prayers.
She will be remembered with fondness by all of her friends from Forest Park High School, Class of 1974. Obviously missed and never forgotten, but free from earthly burdens and restraints. We wish her a wonderful journey home.
Our deepest sympathies go to your family. My Aunt Helen Farah was Jan’s roommate until my aunts passing. My Aunt Helen loved Jan so much. Jan was so supportive and loving to her. We grew to love Jan as one of our family. May God rest her soul and may her memory be eternal!
Thank you, Tammy. Jan was my aunt. My
Mom is Judy, Jan’s sister. Our whole family loved Ms.Helen. My kids still asked about her on every visit to JJ’s. They loved giving her big hugs every visit. Your aunts picture hung in her room until we cleaned it out last week. We were all so blessed to have Aunt Jan and Ms.Helen together and bring our families together!
My thoughts and prayers are with are with the family. My mother, Helen Farah was Jan’s suite mate at Summer Place until my mother passed. Jan became a dear friend not only to our mother, but to our entire family.
God rest her soul and may her memory be eternal.
Deepest condolences to the family. Janet was truly a sweetheart. She was a hell on wheels (in a good way ) force. I knew Janet at the nursing home where she was a blessing to some of the residents. She will be missed. Fly high sister…..
Yes, what a perfect description of Jan! Before she got so Ill, it brought her such great joy to “take care” of the other residents, remind them when they walked by they didn’t have their Walker, etc! It did her good. ❤️
Judy, Carl and all of Jan’s family my deepest sympathy for this loss. My prayers are with you all.
Carl and Judy my heart and prayers to the Soilieu family.. I know she will be truly missed. May she rest in peace God Bless.
Nothing beautiful in this world is ever really lost…All things beloved live on in our hearts forever. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed.
My condolences, love for you always. One of my best friends for ever. I will miss you so so very much. Please know I would be there for you but i just got word. So much like a sister for me
Don’t worry. Her services aren’t for 2 weeks, January 27.