Lena Mae Nunez

Lena Mae Nunez, 96, of Beaumont, died Friday, June 25, 2021. She was born on July 26, 1924, in New Iberia, Louisiana, to Pearl Langla Babb and Albert Babb.  Pearl and Albert lived in Beaumont, but Pearl insisted that Lena Mae be born in Louisiana where family and support were close by.  Shortly after, they returned home to Beaumont.  Although she was born in Louisiana to French-speaking parents and was surrounded by an abundance of French-speaking relatives, Lena Mae grew up and lived her entire life in Texas. She was a true-blue Texan, but with an unforgettable Cajun flavor. That flavor was always evident on the kitchen table with red beans and rice, shrimp gumbo, boiled crabs, cabbage rolls, and fried chicken on Sundays.

In her younger years, Lena Mae was quite the scholar.  She was Salutatorian of her high school class of 1941 at St. Anthony’s in Beaumont. She continued to pursue academic success in future studies and persistently encouraged academic success in all her children. She enjoyed most sports: roller-skating, bicycling, belonged to a bowling league, especially enjoyed ice-skating, kept track of all the kids’ sports events, and even tolerated football. Along with raising eight kids, she held several bookkeeping jobs and worked as a medical transcriptionist at St. Elizabeth Hospital for eighteen years. Probably the thing we will remember most is her appreciation of music and her love for dancing. WHAT A MOM!

Survivors include her children Gilbert Nunez, Jr. and his wife Angie; Michael Nunez and his wife Diane; Mark Nunez and his wife Michele; Michele Domec and her husband Dean; Shawn Nunez and his wife Becky; Kevin Nunez; Erin Nunez Roper and her husband Joe; sister Pat Luquette; daughter-in-law Glenda Nunez; twelve grandchildren: Gilbert Nunez, III and his wife Joan; Matt Blevins; Jason Blevins; Christopher Nunez and his wife Monica; Casey Nunez; Emily Nunez Perdue and her husband Blake; Caleb Nunez; Rachel Nunez; Rita Miller and her husband Justin; Mark Douglas, Jr. and his wife Hollind; Patrick Douglas and his wife Sarah; Jennifer McWilliams and her wife Elise; eleven great-grandchildren: Payton Nunez, Pierceson Nunez, Hailey Nunez, Jason Blevins, Christopher Nunez, Jr., Autumn Nunez, Orion Nunez, Olivia Douglas, Owen Douglas, Oliver Douglas, Kit Douglas, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and also Baby Perdue and Baby McWilliams both due this August!

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years Gilbert Nunez, Sr.; parents Albert and Pearl Babb; brother-in-law Leo Luquette, Sr.; son, Dan Nunez; grandson, Matthew Nunez; son-in-law Ralph Holmes; and daughter-in-law Melanie Nunez.

And, so Mom, on this day, before you are called home, we would like to honor you, bow our heads, and say thank you for the home you made for us, that beautiful little home on Long Street, our forever home.

A Rosary for Mrs. Nunez will be recited at 4:00 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends to follow until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont. 

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