Theresa Bertha Mae Benoit, 78, of Beaumont, died Thursday, February 11, 2010, at her home.  She was born February 19, 1931, to John Bourgeois and Mamie Boudreaux in Church Point, Louisiana.  She moved to Vidor in 1939 and married Joseph L. Benoit in 1948.  Louis and Bertha built a home and filled it with ten children:  nine daughters and one son.

Although a highly regarded and masterfully skilled seamstress that worked from her home, her most prided accomplishments were those of a devoted wife and mother.  Bertha loved gardening and spent countless hours tending to her flowers.  All things flourished under her care. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and served on the Ladies Alter Society both as member and officer.  She was also a proud member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 8246.  Bertha was an active and vital citizen of the community of Vidor.  Her legacy will live on for many generations.

Her husband; parents; sister, Velma Thibodeaux; and son-in-law, Gary Rushing preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children, Joe Benoit and his wife Patsy; daughters, Germaine Daley and her husband Don, Beverly Mahan and her husband Tony, all of Vidor, Veronica Rushing of Mauriceville, Loretta Singleton and her husband Lester of Lumberton,  Dujuana Ruiz and her husband Robert of McAllen, Ionna Redmon and her  husband Hal of Victoria;  Tammy Stark and her husband Jimmy, Krissy McKinley and her husband Todd, and Nina Felix and her husband Troy, all of Beaumont; thirty grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; sisters, Gladys Thibodeaux and Ethel Perrio of Vidor, Annie Blanchard of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and Effie Bennett of Galena Park; and brothers, Norman Bourgeois of Vidor and J.B. Bourgeois of Jasper. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2010, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1600 N. Main Street, Vidor. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.  A gathering of her family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 14, 2010, with a rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hotel Beaumont Loveland Memorial Garden, 625 Orleans, Beaumont, Texas, 77701.