On Sunday, July 28, 2013, heaven gained a beautiful angel when Gay Petzold Mallett, 79, of Beaumont, went to heaven. Gay was born on June 18, 1934, in Central Gardens, to Beatrice Ditto Petzold and Walter Paul Petzold, and had been a longtime resident of Southeast Texas. Gay attended primary, junior high, and high school in Nederland, graduating from Nederland High School, in 1951. Upon graduation she attended Lamar State College of Technology. July 17, 1953, she married the love of her life, Howard Mallett. They made their home in Nederland and were blessed with six children. After raising their children, Gay reentered Lamar University to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology. In 1991, she began a teaching career at Cathedral in the Pines Christian School where she taught 6th grade English. Gay and Howard relocated their home to Ivanhoe, Texas, in 1993. They became members of First Presbyterian Church, Jasper, Texas. Gay retired from teaching. She and Howard enjoyed a short retirement before the Lord called him home in 2002. To be closer to her children, she moved to Beaumont, in 2005. There she made her home enjoying life, entertaining friends, family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. During this time she volunteered as a docent at the McFaddin-Ward House Museum, Trinity United Methodist Church, Morning Out Club, and served on the Jefferson County Appraisal Review Board.

She is survived by her children, Kim Williams and her husband, Laurence, of Beaumont; Casey Fults and her husband, Billy Wayne, of San Antonio; Corey Mallett and his wife, Robin, of Missouri City; Kellie Clark and her husband, David, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Sunny West and her husband, Patrick, of Orange; and Courtney Holt and her husband, Gary, of Garland; grandchildren, Jordan Fults, Justin Fults, Ryan Mallett, Joel Fults, Kyle Williams, Seth Clark, Carley Mallett, and Harper Holt; great-grandchildren, Parker Fults, Mallory Fults, and Hunter Fults; and Gay’s sister, Shirley Boyers of Dallas.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Howard F. Mallett.

A gathering of her family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 1, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 2, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church of Jasper, 740 West Verna, Jasper. A private committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Jasper,  P. O. Box 578, Jasper, Texas 75951.