Alma LeDoux Marino, lovingly known as “Sis” by many, was a longtime resident of the Beaumont area, died peacefully in her home on Friday, August 10, 2012. She was raised in Fannett, but spent a number of years of her young adult life traveling around the United States with her family before settling down in Beaumont.

For those who knew Alma, it was easy to observe that she chose to live out her Christian faith in a gentle and steadfast manner. Keeping her bible and devotionals quietly tucked into her nightstand for easy reach upon rising or retiring each day; she actively applied her spiritual learnings on a daily basis.  Alma was humble, honest, genuine, and selfless; yet she approached life with the courage and the grit of a soldier going into battle. 

Alma had a passion for education and even during the hectic years of raising children, and moving frequently, she pursued her own college degree with a determination that never yielded to inconvenience or difficulty. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1972 and immediately began teaching in her home town of Fannett to share her generosity, compassion, and love for learning with another generation of children. Alma’s happiest experiences on earth were when she was surrounded by children, her own children, her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the many numbers of school children she was privileged to spend time with. The only thing better than being surrounded by children was being surrounded by children at Christmas time…she loved the Christmas season, the music, the laughter, the food, and the spirit of giving created memories that she truly cherished.

With her commitment to learning and education, Alma encouraged her daughters Marsha and Pam to pursue degrees in higher education, and made sure that finances were not an obstacle.  She also encouraged her late son, Joe Jr., to seek out education in a variety of college disciplines and vocational training programs that resulted in his mastering a number of craftsman skills.

For her own enjoyment, Alma chose to use her hands to create beautiful works of art in quilting, sewing, crochet and embroidery, as well as several other crafts. She spent many hours using her talent to make gifts for others, even while suffering from the side effects of chemo she invested her energy to make hats and scarves for other cancer patients that had lost their hair. She knew how to make others feel comforted and happy, even in the most difficult situations.  

Alma had the sweetest soul, and in fact her given name Alma LeDoux literally translates to “sweet soul”.  She lived up to that name in many ways…she saw others with her heart, not with her eyes.  She always put others first, spoke with kind words, and reached out to others with compassion and mercy.  But the most magnificent way that Alma expressed her sweet soul was through her passion for education…she was teaching others when they had no idea she was teaching them, she taught be example, and she modeled what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Her legacy of learning lives on through her surviving children, grandchildren, brother, sister, and extended family. You could say that Alma was the ultimate teacher because her teaching reached far beyond the classroom – it was a way of life for her. In addition to the soft, gentle traits mentioned above, Alma also taught others by the way she lived her life…by unconditionally loving others, listening and encouraging them with patience and generosity. She was obedient to God and remained steadfast through the storms of life by trusting in God’s love. Alma set the example of doing the right thing regardless of the opposition. And her tips for the day were frequently “learn something new every day” and “smile, it will make you and everyone around you feel better”.

Survivors include her daughters, Marsha Mitchell of Clute and Pam Cheval of Angleton; grandchildren, Kristy Retana and her husband, Duval, of Del Valle; Joseph Condon III of Lake Jackson; Sarah Davis and her husband, Grant, of Lumberton; and Mollie Marino of Lumberton; brother, Lee LeDoux of Port Neches; sister, Dora Mitchell of Fannett; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. 

Alma is preceded in death by husbands, Pete Mitchell and Joseph Marino, Sr.; her son, Joseph Marino, Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Sandra Kay Marino.