Charlene Lajaunda Rees, 80, of Port Arthur, passed away Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas in Port Arthur.

Mrs. Rees was born December 7, 1928 in White Oak, Texas a small community in Hopkins County to Lawson Smith Sr. and Alma Cain Smith. She lived in the Nederland and Port Arthur area for 62 years where she owned and operated Family Realty and LaGay Beauty Solon.

Mrs. Rees is survived by her husband, Sherwood Rees of Port Arthur; her daughters, Lajaunda Gebauer Williams and husband Harry of Nederland, and Gaytha Gebauer Guillot and husband David of Beauxart Gardens; her sons, Ronnie Gebauer of Houston, and Keith Gebauer and wife Jeanie of Taylor Landing; her step-sons, Charles Rees of Groves, Martin Rees of Port Neches, Harry Rees and wife Ruby f Port Neches, and Raymond Rees of Vidor; her brothers, Huey Smith of Sulphur Springs, and Lawson Smith Jr. of Rosenberg; her five grandchildren, Tiffany Collins Dillard, Chris Coburn, Kit Gebauer, Britny Guillot Trevino, and her name sake, Charlene Gebauer; also seven step-grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, Callie Sattler, Cross Coburn.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 22864, Beaumont, Texas 77720, or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, Texas 75284.