On the morning of February 15, 2010, after a very brief illness, we lost the sweetest, most loving member of our family, Mary “Mee Maw” Sandell, at the age of 84.  She was born November 19, 1925, in Toro, Louisiana and has been a resident of the Beaumont area most of her life.

Those she left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jerry Sandell and his wife Liz of Beaumont, and Randy Sandell and his wife Charlette of Spring; daughter, Sandy Sandell Jessen and her husband Ricky of Sherman; son-in-law, J.L. Smart and his wife Rosemary of  Beaumont; brother, Marion Cox of Lumberton; sisters, Zelma Benson of LaCombe, LA, Bracie Lea Brown of Covington, GA and Lillie Jewel Skinner of Shreveport, LA; eight grandchildren, LeDona Smart Claflin and her husband Dave of Boerne, Don Sandell and his wife Tricia of Port Arthur, Britney Sandell Meckfessel and her husband Kurt of Conroe, Lexie Smart Mouton and her husband Stephen of Beaumont; Craig Sandell of Spring, Brandi Jessen, Stephanie Jessen and Staci Jessen all of Bryan; nine great-grandchildren, Chelsea Claflin, Brennan Claflin, Landon Sandell, Tate Sandell, Brinkley Kathryn Sandell, Julianna Mouton, Carter Mouton, Ty Meckfessel and Laney Meckfessel; and thirty-two nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Huey; and her beloved daughter, Sue Sandell Smart.

Sewing and gardening was always a passion for Mary, but her greatest enjoyment was having all her family and their friends for Sunday dinner.  She was a member of Cathedral in the Pines and in her earlier years kept the nurseries at Washington Boulevard Christian Church and Calder Baptist Church.  Mary studied her bible faithfully every morning and was an inspiration to everyone.  Her children are thankful they had a mother that taught them about love, honesty and loyalty.

Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2010, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with Dr. Winston Hancock officiating.  Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at Broussard’s.