Verdie Mae Hanks Petkovsek
Verdie Mae Hanks Petkovsek, 89, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 24, 2025. She was born on September 16, 1935, in Crowley, Louisiana, the eldest daughter of Mason and Verdie Hanks. The family moved to Beaumont in 1940, where Verdie lived the remainder of her life.
Verdie was a graduate of Beaumont High School and earned her Associate’s Degree at Lamar State College of Technology, now Lamar University. Verdie met her husband, Marty, in an accounting class at Lamar where it is rumored, he needed some tutoring as he attempted to look over her shoulder for answers. Who knew accounting could spark romance. After college, always loyal and dedicated, she amazingly held only one job her entire career life. She worked as a secretary for Ameripol-Synpol for almost forty-two years.
A lasting legacy notes the positive impact on the lives of others. Our precious Verdie had a servant’s heart, and she thrived as a caregiver to others. Many of her friends called her their angel and they gifted her dozens of angel ceramics, pins, stationery, and other keepsakes. Everyone knew how much Verdie loved to dance. While her adoring late husband said it was not his forte, he would take her out just to watch the joy on her face when she jitterbugged. Later in life she continued to enjoy dancing night-outs with her sweet sister, Dee Dee.
Her greatest joy was obviously her family, and she instilled the importance in her children. Marty and Paula were her entire world, and she enjoyed some fabulous vacations with them, as adults, to England, Italy and Hawaii. Marty, who lives in Beaumont, offered the daily company, love and care (and a lot of transportation to Houston appointments over eight years), for which she was so grateful. He ran her errands and made certain she was able to visit Deanna frequently. Verdie looked forward to Paula’s visits from California through the years, and although they talked daily, she was thrilled when Paula’s family moved back to Texas within months of her cancer diagnosis. She bragged on her grandchildren. Dylan made her laugh like no one else could. She said he had such sweet and sincere hugs. Blakeley was beyond grateful that Verdie was well enough to travel to Oxford, Mississippi for her wedding in 2023, so they could enjoy the celebration together. Verdie would always ask about her “beautiful granddaughter” and was beyond excited when Blakeley and Luke had a baby girl last month. Verdie was able to FaceTime with baby Leighton, her first great-grandbaby, and we were able to capture all four generations on the phone.
Verdie and her sister, Deanna (Dee Dee) were inseparable, and many said they were closer than twins. We said they were not just joined at the hip but rather joined at the heart. Estate sales will not know what to do without those two coming together to browse, then always walking out with too many goodies. They had so much fun.
She adored her incredibly special nieces, nephews and all of their children as well. Everyone loved “Aunt Verdie.” We would like to offer a very special note of appreciation to those that cared for her during this lengthy illness, cooked for her, drove her to appointments in Houston, housed her between chemo treatments, ran errands, moved furniture and accompanied her to events so she wouldn’t be alone. Crissy, Mara, Anne, Scotty, Jerry, Chris, Rose, Rex and countless others, you have been a sincere blessing. She would have moved mountains for you, too.
Verdie is survived by her children, Martin (Marty) H. Petkovsek, Jr. of Beaumont, Texas and Paula Petkovsek Galbraith (husband, Tim), of Austin Texas; grandchildren, Dylan Galbraith and Blakeley Love (husband Luke); great-granddaughter, Leighton Love; and sister, Deanna Fowler
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of twenty-seven years, Martin H. Petkovsek, Sr. and sweetheart of eighteen years Martin W. (Woody) Merritt.
A gathering of Mrs. Petkovsek’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Broussard’s Mortuary, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary McFaddin Ave.
- 2000, Mcfaddin Avenue, Beaumont, Texas, 77701,
- January 29, 2025
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Anne Catholic Church
- 2715, Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- January 30, 2025
- 1:00 pm
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
- January 30, 2025
Marty and Paula, I am sorry to hear about your Mother. She was such a nice person. I was always glad to see her at family gatherings. May God bless her.
One of the sweetest most kindness people I have ever known. With a smile to brighten any room. She was a sweet soul. Lots of memories growing up. She will be greatly missed. And was adored. Prayers and much love to the rest of the family.
Marty and Paula, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I always enjoyed seeing her at family gatherings. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
Dear Marty and family,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. She sounds like she was delightful, and you are a very good and devoted son. My thoughts are with you, my friend,
Susan
What a heartbreaking loss of such a beautiful sweetheart. Verdie was one-of-a-kind. It was my true pleasure to have known her all of these years. I will miss her sweet face, which was always smiling.
Fly high sweet angel!!!
Martin: Brenda and I will miss Verde. Our prayers go out to you, Paula, and your other family members in this time of mourning.
I think what I will miss most is the smile she had every time I saw her.
She was a wonderful person.
Marty and Paula, I’ll never forget you mom coming to Paul’s funeral and talking with me. She was amazing. Battling cancer herself, and comforting me. I’ll never forget her. I’m keeping you both in my prayers.
Marty & Paula , I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. She was truly a very special lady in so many ways! Verde was my youngest, Mallory McFarlands’ Godmother. Neither sickness nor age makes it any easier to lose a mom. She will always hold a place in my heart! May God be by both of you.
Marty,
I am sorry to hear the passing of your mom. Prayers for comfort and peace.
Dolly
What a beautiful tribute and this gives an amazing picture of her life. She was a woman filled with love. God bless 😍😇🙏🩷
My wife Norma & myself enjoyed Verdie Mae at our 70 hs reunion. We both were sad to hear about Verdie Mae’s passing. May she rest in peace.
One of the sweetest girls in Beaumont and my favorite skate partner.
Paula & Marty,
I’m so sorry to learn about the passing of your mother. She was such a kind and caring person. I always enjoyed seeing her over the years at family gatherings. She would always ask about me and the Brocato family. We all were so blessed to have her in our lives. I know she is now resting in the arms of our lord and reunited with all her love ones. You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless,
Jim