Marjorie Dismukes Carter

Marjorie Dismukes Carter, 100, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont.

Marjorie Picou Dismukes Carter was born on September 26, 1925, the second oldest of sixteen children born to Talton and Adelaide Picou. From the very beginning, Marjorie’s life reflected strength, faith, independence, and a deep commitment to family and service—qualities that defined her remarkable 100 years.

Marjorie was widowed three times: to Richard Dismukes in 1947, the father of her children; to Caldwell Carter in 1978; and to Gus Rybak in 1994. She was the proud mother of five children—two daughters and three sons as well as her daughters and sons in-law: Beccy and Mike Seaux, Ricky and Betty Dismukes, Jim and Rhonda Dismukes, Danny and his ex-wife, Faye Dismukes, and Angie and Chad Wyble. Her legacy continued through fourteen grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren, and four more babies on the way.

Education and hard work were lifelong values. Marjorie earned a certificate in IBM Machines from Port Arthur Business College. During World War II, she worked at Texas Steel at the end of Proctor Street in Port Arthur, contributing to the manufacturing of six-inch ammunition shells. From 1945 to 1948, Marjorie worked at Firestone Tire & Rubber Company as an Assistant Paymaster

Her professional career was both diverse and impressive. Marjorie served as an auditor at the Good Hue Hotel in Port Arthur from 1961 to 1975, followed by work as a sales associate at Dryden’s Clothing Store and in insurance with First Mortgage Investment Company handling Fannie Mae loans. In 1978, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open and operate Joey’s Candies & Gifts, which she ran successfully until 1986.

Never one to slow down, Marjorie worked for seventeen years as a pari-mutuel clerk at racetracks across the country, continuing until the age of seventy. Her work took her to Bossier City, Hot Springs, Churchill Downs, Lone Star Park in Dallas and Houston, and Remington Park in Oklahoma.

Faith and service were central to Marjorie’s life. She was a devoted member of Quota for twenty-seven years, serving as an officer throughout that time and earning the honor of Quota Woman of the Year for 2011–2012. She was also an active member of Business & Professional Women for twenty years, ABWA Club for five years, and Catholic Daughters, where she served as an officer for ten years.

At St. Mary’s Church, Marjorie served faithfully in countless ways: as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Bereavement Committee, church money counter for twenty-six years, and a dedicated Altar Society member—continuing to clean the church until the age of ninety. She was nominated for the Faithful Steward Servant Award in recognition of her unwavering dedication.

Marjorie experienced the world with curiosity and joy. Her travels included Alaska, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York, San Francisco, Tennessee, Acapulco, Aruba, Greece, Iran (1977), Italy, and Paris. Many of these journeys were shared with her beloved mother, Adelaide. A treasured memory was meeting and being photographed with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.

Known for her love of games, Marjorie delighted in Pokeno, Bunko, Poker, Farkle, Rummikub, and Mexican Train—always bringing excitement whether holding a winning hand or not. She loved dancing and music, from sock-hop dances in the living room with family and friends to dancing with her walker to favorite tunes. Crabbing with friends, days at the beach, traveling, and watching God’s creations interact brought her great joy.

Marjorie loved the color red and surrounded herself with shells and rocks—inside and outside her home—each one a reflection of her love for beauty and life. She cherished handwritten cards from family and friends and proudly displayed them for all to see. She had a big green thumb loved watering and nurturing her plants.

Our mother was a lover of God—prayerful, headstrong, giving, genuine, independent, confident, and deeply rooted in her beliefs. A daily goal-setter and achiever, she lived by her favorite motto:

“Work hard, so you can play hard.”

She loved her children, children-in-law, siblings, and siblings-in-law equally and always encouraged family members to stay connected. She loved holding and cuddling her grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren. She didn’t meet strangers—only friends she hadn’t yet known.

Her memory remained sharp, her convictions firm, and her stories precise. If corrected, she would gladly provide the exact time, place, and details—respectfully reminding all that she was rarely mistaken. Politics, faith, and family discussions were spirited, and victory in debate was rarely conceded.

Another belief she lived by was reflected in her life itself: “Aging with grace is a privilege not everyone gets.” Marjorie accomplished this through the grace of God.

Our Mother, Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother, Marjorie Picou Dismukes Carter, remains our rock—always leading us back to our faith, our family, and our source of salvation: Our Lord and Savior.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Daughters at St. Mary Catholic Church or St. Mary Catholic Church, 9894 Gilbert Road, Beaumont, Texas 77705.

A gathering of Mrs. Carter’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 9894 Gilbert Road, Fannett. Her interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches. The Mass can be live streamed here.