Marie Morrell Currie Fourt

Marie Morrell Currie Fourt, of Beaumont, Texas, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, August 29, 2021, at the age of 98 years old. By the Grace of God her final days at home were peaceful and calm, without illness or injury.

Marie was the oldest of 4 children born to Vick Morrell and Tina Palermo Morrell.  She grew up on the family dairy farm in Beaumont with her sisters, Genevieve and Joyce and her brother, Frank.  Marie attended South Park High School graduating in 1940.  Her father died when she was a Senior in High School so her plans to attend college were set aside and she went to work for the Fair Store in Beaumont.  It was there that she met her first husband, William J. Currie and they were married on June 15, 1947.  Their daughter, Mary Kent, was born in 1957. Marie and Bill visited many countries around the world and her love of travel continued the rest of her life.

Marie was raised to value hard work and personal excellence.  She was a woman of exceptional character and kindness which was noticed by her friends and all who worked with her.  Marie worked at Beaumont Motor Company/Chevy Land for 33 years. She was a highly regarded employee rising to the position of Office Manager.  In reflecting on Marie’s many years of employment, Ken Ruddy, owner of Beaumont Motor Co./Chevy Land’ said in a personal letter to Marie, “…certain people in a company are KEY PEOPLE; around whom a significant portion of the company’s business activities revolve. You have been a KEY PERSON in our company. You are one in a million, Marie.”

After Bill’s passing in 1976, Marie met Henry (“H.E.”) Fourt at a country western dance hall during an evening out with girlfriends. Their smooth compatibility on the dance floor was immediately evident to everyone and they married on July 25, 1980. Marie and H.E. moved to Houston to start one of the first commercial parking lot vacuum, cleaning services. H.E.’s relentless energy & entrepreneurial flair coupled with Marie’s bookkeeping expertise created a very successful business. Unfortunately, their plans to travel with their 5^th wheel across the USA were cut short with H.E.’s untimely death in 1989.  At this time, Marie moved back to Beaumont and spent the rest of her years dedicated to her family, working as a volunteer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, traveling and enjoying her many friends.

Family was the center of Marie’s life, and hers was a very large, extended family.  The pictures on her refrigerator served as a testimony to the affection she felt for all the children in her life; and the pride she felt for their accomplishments, big and small. Marie loved to cook and passed on her passion to Mary Kent. As a family tradition, Mary Kent has lovingly re-created these recipes, and Marie’s grandchildren, Matthew and Grace, are carrying on her legacy.

Marie’s love language was giving and doing. Christmas memories include her arrival in Houston with her car piled high with huge, decorated boxes for her grandchildren.  She loved to laugh, and she loved to tease.  Her reserved personality concealed a very dry wit and she could surprise you with an unexpectedly wry comment.

Throughout her life, Marie was a quiet, enduring, Rock of Gibraltar. During the difficult times in life, she was the anchor that kept the family boat afloat.  She never faltered or failed; she was steady and determined.  Marie happily attended all the many family parties and loved to socialize with family and friends. While rarely being the one telling the story, she was a patient listener.  As a result, when she did comment, you listened closely!

Marie is survived by her daughter, Mary Kent Yochum and son-in-law, John, of Houston; her granddaughter, Grace Yochum of Houston; her grandson, Matthew Yochum and wife, Delany of Midland, Texas; and Matthew and Delany’s son, Elias John Yochum, her cherished great grandchild.

A gathering of Marie’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a Rosary recited at 10:30 a.m., and her Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont. Please observe social distancing guidelines.

Our family would like to thank the precious ladies that have spent the last many years caring for Marie with the love and compassion she deserved, Marjorie Seals, Sharon Peters, Gaye Bluitt, Vera Breaux, and Diana Broussard. We would also like to thank her wonderful neighbors, Gerald and Betty Wheeler, who watched over Marie with loving care night and day.  Finally, the family would like to thank the nurses especially Suzanne Romero, aides and staff at Professional Healthcare for their wonderful care.

Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event, you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov.