René Golden Hebert, 59, of Sour Lake, died Monday, April 4, 2016. She was born on July 10, 1956, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Peggy Joyce Golden and Norman “Sonny” Golden.

When René was in junior high, she told her music teacher that she only wanted two things: to wear the drum major hat and to teach children. She achieved both goals. René was like that. Whenever she set a goal, she made it happen. In fact, when she learned to drive she talked her dad into driving to Houston for her first time on the road.

During her senior year of high school, René attended twirling camp at Stephen F. Austin State University. During that time, she fell in love with the school. René came home and said, “I just have to go to school there.” Her father made a deal with her. She had to attend Lamar University for one year, and if she still wanted to go to college after that she could go to Stephen F. Austin State University. René attended Lamar for her freshman year and made friends. She and her friend Janet would even pool their money to put oil in René’s 1959 Chevelle. After a year at Lamar, she was a twirler and true Cardinal. She never wanted to leave Lamar for any other school.

As an educator, René went above and beyond the job description. At her first teaching job, she bought one of her students clothing and a bathing suit, so the little girl could wade around the kiddie pool. Her generosity extended throughout and beyond the boundaries of her career. Whenever a child at her school needed clothing or school supplies, René was there to save the day with things bought with her own money.

With her own children, René was a supportive mother, friend, and occasionally, partner in crime. She took a trip with her children and parents to Disney World where Blake enthusiastically and Grandaddy, less enthusiastically, rode Space Mountain. After her marriage to Craig, the entire family took road trips around Texas with one memorable trip to Austin for dinner at The Oasis and a tour of the natural caverns. Of course, she took pictures to document and share every minute!

At home, René was a devoted mother. Some mornings she would wake Lauren up more than four times! She supported Blake through the harsh accusations that he cut Lauren’s ponytail off and consoled Lauren when the family dog ate Lauren’s birthday cake. She always gave good advice and knew exactly to say.

As a grandmother, René loved spending time with the grandchildren and was always involved in their lives. She took Jayde to get her first manicure and pedicure. Jayde really enjoyed being so pampered. René bought a kiddie pool for the grandkids and two big bags of plastic balls to put in the pool, and the kids would eat popsicles while playing in the pool.

She was close to her parents, and was willing to go out of her way to help out. When her mother had surgery, she brought food every day to Port Neches for her mom and dad. At Christmas, René made sure everyone had gifts. Black Friday was as tradition for René and her mom. They would get up very early in the morning so they could buy matching bows, shoes, socks and undies for the kids. Everything had to match.

René’s kindness, sense of humor and loving spirit will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched. She lives on in her family, loved ones, and the children she taught.

René is survived by her husband of seventeen years, Craig Hebert, of Sour Lake; parents, Peggy and Sonny Golden, of Port Neches; son, Blake Anthony Trahan and his wife, Barbara, of Beaumont; daughter, Lauren Brewer and her husband, Kyle, of Sour Lake; stepdaughter, Shelby Hebert and her fiancé, Scott Kilburn, of College Station; and granddaughters, Jayde Solomon, Addison Trahan, Chandler Brewer, and Rylee Brewer.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Mauri Trahan.

A gathering of Mrs. Hebert’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with her funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016, at North End Baptist Church, 5115 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.