Lucille Elizabeth “Tootsie” Hebert Wilson

Lucille Elizabeth “Tootsie” Hebert Wilson was born November 2, 1934, and died peacefully at home on January 10, 2025, at 90 years old.

Tootsie was born to Oscar and Eva Hebert in Hemphill, Texas. She was the only one of her siblings, Helen, Walter, Gladys and Frances, to have been born in Texas. She was quite younger and adored by them.

She graduated as Salutatorian of her class at Pineland High School in 1952. Not only was she an excellent student, she was also a great basketball player for her school team.  She loved sports. She later bowled in a league.

She married the love of her life, O’Neal, the same day she graduated from high school and spent the next 72 years with him.  Their marriage produced three wonderful children. Neal, Lisa and Tammy.

The young family made their home in Nederland, Texas. Tootsie raised her children and also worked outside of the home at Nederland Home Supply.  She sold appliances, kept the books and did everything else that was needed.  She retired from there to take care of her elderly parents and mother-in-law.

She was a phenomenal caregiver. At one point she had all three elderly parents in their home. And she managed all their care.

Tootsie was a people person. She loved talking to people and visiting. She was easy to talk to and so friendly and caring.  She loved to host events, like baby and wedding showers.  She often opened her home to visiting preachers or others that needed a place to stay. She made everyone feel comfortable and welcome.

She also loved to shop.  She loved getting a good deal and she also loved to have garage sales.  Because she was so personable, she was always successful in her sales!  Even in her last years, if anyone mentioned having a garage sale, she was excited to help out.

She was also an excellent cook. Although she didn’t learn how to cook when she was a teenager, because she was the youngest and probably got away with less chores. After she married, and O’Neal thanked the Lord “for this tuna fish sandwich once again”, she decided she should learn. So she went back home to learn some of her mama’s recipes!  But once she got it down, she never looked back.

She was the epitome of the grandmotherly type.  Her six grandchildren were often her topic of conversation. After she and O’Neal retired, they moved back to Pineland and the summers of fun started with all the grandchildren.  She and O’Neal took them on adventures, but their favorite times were right there in Pineland, playing games, eating and just being together.

Tootsie had a servant’s heart. That was evident in her caregiving, but she also served her friends and fellow church members.  Because she was a cancer survivor, she also volunteered with programs to help others receiving treatments.

She loved children. She taught Bible class well into her 80s. She always would say that teaching was never a job that you retired from.   Her church family was so important to her.  She loved them as her own children and grandchildren.  One of those kids, Jordan, held a special place in her heart and she was always welcome at Mawmaw and Pawpaw’s house.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Neal Wilson and his wife, Susie, of Kountze; her daughters, Lisa Hopkins and her husband, Skippy, and Tammy Holt and her husband, Sam, all of Nederland; her six grandchildren, Traci Turner and her husband, Matt; Charles Wilson and his wife, Sandy; Brett Hopkins and his wife, Laura; Ross Holt and his wife, Rachel; Matt Holt and his wife, Caitlyn; and Brian Hopkins and his wife, Kelly. Those six grandchildren gave her thirteen great grandchildren, Reese, Blake, Lily, Emily, Joshua, Natalee, Nathan, Norah, Liam, Connor, Henry, Lincoln and Walt. She is also survived by her special niece Carol Bolton and her husband, Claud, and her children, Claud Jr., Cheree and Chad; and a host of other friends and family who she dearly loved.

Tootsie is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Helen Hebert, Walter Hebert, Gladys Cunningham, and Frances Simon; and her beloved husband, Oscar O’Neal Wilson, Sr., who passed just 8 months prior. She missed him tremendously during her final months.

A gathering of Mrs. Wilson’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. Her interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches. Please join us to celebrate her life.