Neoma Mae Stansbury Langham

Neoma Mae Stansbury Langham, 84, of Lumberton, died December 17, 2022, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.  She was born December 15, 1938, to Robert John Stansbury and Louise Marie Concienne Stansbury in Port Arthur, Texas.

Neoma married at an early age, moved to Lumberton, Texas, and soon started her own family. A devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, Neoma selflessly spent her days tending to her family. Active in her children’s lives, she made sure they had everything they wanted and more than they needed growing up. Animals, as pets, friends, both lifelong and stray, along with good home cooked meals were always found in abundance in her home. She supported her children in all their activities, both in school and outside of school. Once her children were older, Neoma found time to work as a cashier at WalMart in Lumberton, while still providing the delicious home cooked meals she was known for. She was always mom, drill sergeant, chief cook and bottle washer.  Sundays always found wonderful meals simmering on the stove and warming in the oven all day for anyone who came by (and there were lots of people on Sunday!). The most frequently heard phrase from Neoma on Sunday was Eat! Eat! There’s plenty! to everyone who stopped by.  No one left her house hungry or underweight!

As her children started their own families, her grandchildren were the apple of her eye.   No one was an in-law in Neoma’s eyes. Everyone was family. Christmas morning at Neoma’s often looked like a department store with all the gifts under, beside, and around the Christmas tree for both children and adults alike. She spoiled all of her children and grandchildren every chance she got.  And of course, on Christmas, plenty of food!!

Neoma faced the difficulties of her life without complaint. The dignity and grace she always displayed hid the personal pain she felt. Never to complain about her own problems, she worried constantly about her children and grandchildren. Neoma liked Cajun music and a great fais do-do, but loved her family beyond measure.

She never darkened the doorstep of a doctor for herself hardly, but Heaven forbid a family member sneezed in her presence. You need an antihistamine and a decongestant!! You need to see a doctor!! You’re getting sick!! Despite telling her you were fine, she was absolutely convinced that you were sick. Finally, as her health declined, she knew she needed help herself, all while saying she was fine and that everyone was overreacting! Neoma’s last months were marked with ill health.  She persevered though a debilitating disease until her body no longer could continue. A lifelong care giver, Neoma was forced to accept help from others.  While in homebound hospice care, Neoma maintained her concern for others over herself. (Except for her showers.  She hated her showers!). Her dignity throughout her struggles are an inspiration to her entire family.

The family would like to express our unending gratitude to her caretakers: Hannah, Shaylyn, Kimberly and Lisa of Harbor Hospice Health Care. Their tender care for Neoma is greatly appreciated, and we are eternally grateful.

Neoma is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Deborah Kay Bertrand, her grandson Clinton Elliott Bertrand, her granddaughter-in-law Abigail Violet Barlow, and her brother Robert Bobby Stansbury.

Neoma is survived by her sons, Vernon N. Langham of Fannett and Virgil T. Tommy Langham and his wife, Lesa, of Fannett; and daughter, Darlene L. Barlow and her husband, David, of Lumberton; her sister, Jesse DuBois and her husband, Jimmy, of Beaumont; her grandchildren, Virgil Langham and his wife, Robin, of Baytown; MaryKay Johnson and her husband, Ryan, of Fannett; Lacy Koeppe and her spouse, Rachel, of Cypress; and Joshua Barlow of Houston. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Alanis, Nancy, Kadence, Peyton, Lennon, Kyle, Dylan, Gavin, Nathan, and Madison; her son-in-law, Lee Bertrand and his wife, Sally, of Fannett; and daughter-in-law, Jeanne Garriss of Beaumont. She is also survived by two lifelong friends, Barbara Beard of Lumberton and Barbara Trahan of Baytown.

A memorial service will be held at the Gazebo at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, 618 Block Street, Port Neches, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Private inurnment of her cremains will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org.

Cremation arrangements for Neoma were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

Rest easy, Neoma.  No more showers!!