Dorothy Elizabeth Fontenot Green died at the age of ninety-four, on July 7, 2012, in her home in Beaumont, Texas. Daughter of Rufus and Viola Fontenot of Crowley and New Orleans, Louisiana, she was born on April 6, 1918, in Washington, D. C.

She was predeceased by her husband, John M. Green, of Beaumont, by her first-born son, Michael Green, of Beaumont and Houston, and by her sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Robbie Robinson of New Iberia, Louisiana.

As a small child, she lived in Shreveport, Louisiana, San Antonio, Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley, but her formative years were spent in New Orleans, where she was the first queen of the Krewe of Dorians in 1938. It was also in New Orleans that she met her future husband, John, who was attending Loyola University on a football scholarship. They had their first date on July 4, 1936, and were married on April 27, 1940. They renewed their marriage vows at St. Louis Cathedral in 2000, with all their children, grandchildren, and their first great-grandchild present, and remained happily married until John’s death in 2004.

Dorothy and John settled in Beaumont, but with the onset of World War II, John joined the United States Navy. Between 1942 and 1946, while he served on active duty, they moved thirteen times with two small children, living in such places as Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Hanover, New Hampshire, and Beeville, Texas. After the war, John and Dorothy moved back to Beaumont and proceeded to raise their growing family.

Dorothy Green belonged to St. Anne Parish, and was a member of the Junior League of Beaumont and the Magnolia Garden Club. If there is one word that can be used to define Dorothy Green, it would have to be love. She was a devout Catholic and loved her faith. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was very proud of them all; there was nothing on this earth more important to her. As a young woman, she kept fierce watch over her brood, and was known in their childhood neighborhood as “old eagle eye”. She raised them with a firm hand, always setting the highest standards by example, and showered them – and their children and grandchildren - with her love until the day she died. Dorothy loved her boats and her beach house on Bolivar Peninsula, especially sitting out on the porch at sunset. She loved nature, and instilled that love in her children and grandchildren. Dorothy loved fishing, crabbing, and hunting doves. She loved music and dancing. She was a wonderful cook and loved to serve beautiful and delicious meals. Dorothy was gentle and genteel, but had a wonderful sense of humor that could catch you off guard. She loved her dogs.

She is survived by her two daughters, Patricia Thorp of Beaumont and Sally Haddad and her husband, Ricardo, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; son, David Green and his wife, Kathy, of Ocean View, Delaware; daughter-in-law, Mary Green of Houston; nine grandchildren, Tom Green and his wife, Karen, of Houston; Marjorie Green of Houston; John Green and his wife, Kathy, of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; Seawillow Edwards of Beaumont; Roberto Haddad of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Suzana Mansur and her husband, Glauco, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Patrick Green and his wife, Jerri, of Memphis, Tennessee; Christopher Green of Victor, Idaho; and Meaghan Green and her husband, Dave Kovalsky, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; seven great-grandchildren, Jack and Wyatt Green of Houston, Texas; Mary and Gage Green of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Beau and Vivienne Green of Memphis, Tennessee, and Gabriela Mansur of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; nephew, Doug Robinson and his wife, Jeanine, of South Lake; niece, Betty Kolb of Willis; nephew, Ed Green and his wife, Margaret, of Beaumont; and her numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.

Dorothy’s family would like to extend their appreciation most especially to her “third daughter” and selfless caregiver, Marva Maxson, to her wonderful cook, Juanita Douglas, and to all her other loving caregivers, Linda Patterson, Shasa Braxton, Rachel Wheeler, Pamela Thomas, and Edna Morris, as well as her faithful gardener and friend of many years, Bobby Williams. Special thanks also go to Dr. Bertron Brown and his nurse, Martha Selensky, for taking such good care of Dorothy over the years, and to all the excellent and caring professionals from Texas Home Health and Hospice Services. We would also like to express our gratitude to Monsignor Michael Jamail and Monsignor William Manger for their friendship and support, and for their inspirational spiritual guidance over the years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 12, 2012, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

Pallbearers will be Tom Green, John Green, Roberto Haddad, Pat Green, Chris Green, and Doug Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702; Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707; or to a charity of one’s choice.