Rowena Conner Hendrix

Ivy Rowena Conner Hendrix was born April 22, 1921, in Doucette, Texas to Alice Hanks Conner and Willie Bryan Conner.  She peacefully passed away, at age 102, on December 9, 2023, at Harbor Hospice.

She graduated from Kirby High School in Woodville, Texas in 1939 and married Henry Clay Hendrix that same year.  They moved to Beaumont, Texas where they raised three children, Bryan, Sharon, and Sandy.

Rowena was employed by Bethlehem Steel for many years, first in the accounting department and later as supervisor over communications.  She was known as “Mama” throughout many departments, not only as an affectionate nickname but also because she ran the comings and goings of Bethlehem front office.  She knew everyone’s name, rank, and serial number and what their business might be with Bethlehem Steel.  She was also an active member of the ABESCO Social club, holding numerous offices over the years.  She retired from Bethlehem with over thirty years of service.  Never being one to sit idle, she worked at numerous small local boutiques and businesses after retirement.

Rowena was very active in the community.  She was a lifelong member of Wesley Methodist Church (originally North End Methodist) and active in area women’s business clubs.  In addition to her own interests, she was supportive of her husband’s community involvement in BISD and other organizations.  She was a consummate hostess for friends, family gatherings and holidays.

Survivors include her two daughters, Sharon Thomas and husband, John, and Sandy Walker and husband, Scott; four grandchildren, Lauren Blum, Dabney Davis, Marra Gunnells, and Jason Thomas; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, Henry Hendrix; her beloved brother, Bill Conner; and her son, Bryan Hendrix.

The family would like to thank all the staff of Focused Care at Summer Place for their many years of attentive and vigilant care, Dr. Msonthi Levine for his expert care and a special thank you to Dr. Gwendolyn Lavalais and all the staff at Harbor Hospice for their compassionate care in mother’s last days.  We would also like to thank the prayer group at Wesley Methodist Church who sent prayers and healing messages throughout mother’s last years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Ms. Hendrix may be made an organization of your choice.

A graveside service for Ms. Hendrix will be 11:00 a.m., Sunday, December 17^, 2023, at Colmesneil Cemetery, 704 E. Elder Street, Colmesneil, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.