Bettye Ruth Walker Fontenot was born June 23, 1938. She went home to Jesus on November 27, 2023. Bettye was the daughter of Pat and Mildred Walker and was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur. She attended Thomas Jefferson High school where she was part of the Hussars Drum and Bugle Corps graduating in 1956 then attending Port Arthur Business School.
On November 29, 1958 she married Jerry Wayne Fontenot and had the joy of celebrating 65 years of marriage to him.
Bettye’s great love was her family. She is preceded in death by her parents Pat and Mildred Walker, and her older sister Patsy Jean Dammon, She is survived by her sister, Barbara Ellen Sims and her daughters Tracye Lynne Thibodeaux wife of Brian Thibodeaux of Port Neches, Texas and Kristie Patrice Logan, wife of Danny Logan of Amarillo, Texas.
Bettye’s joy of family was made complete by the additions of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Adam and Kelsey Thibodeaux of Port Neches and their son Brayson, Alex and Kaitlyn Thibodeaux of Port Neches Texas, and their son Kade, Ellen and Will McCutcheon and their daughter Penelope of Amarillo, Texas, Jessica and Justin Dozier of Rockwall, Texas and Katherine Logan of Shawnee, Oklahoma.
She spent many years as a mother and homemaker before going to work at Garrison’s Pharmacy and then to Barris Paint Industries where she worked until her retirement. Bettye was a member of Proctor Street Baptist Church of Port Arthur and leaves a legacy of friends and family who will remember her devotion to each of them. She was known for being the first person to the side of a friend in times of need. She created a home that was a place of refuge as well as fun. Her door was always open, there was always room for one more or 10 at her table. She could and would entertain royalty, but her hospitality was the same for paupers. She served and loved her family, friends and strangers with grace and humility.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:00 AM in Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, with a gathering of family and friends from 9:30 AM until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their exceptional care and support during the time leading up to Bettye’s passing. The staff, Avery Redden, Destiny Roy, Tamara Long and chaplain David Abshire were invaluable in their care for her. Also thank you to her caregiver, Lupe Ly for her support and care.