Frances Bevil Langston, 87, of Port Neches, died Thursday, July 10, 2014, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. She was born in Silsbee on January 10, 1927, and graduated from Nederland High School in 1944. Frances then attended Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in Beaumont, receiving her diploma as a Registered Nurse and earning an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences from Lamar College in 1947. Frances began her sixty-seven year career in nursing working as an Office Nurse for Lamar Bevil, MD, then, as an Assistant Night Supervisor in ER at Hotel Dieu, then as Head Nurse in Pediatrics. She began working for Nederland Independent School District in 1950 as a school nurse, retiring forty-four years later, in 1995. She also worked many summers at Hotel Dieu and St. Elizabeth Hospitals. After retirement, Frances volunteered her nursing services at St. Anthony Cathedral School and St. Catherine’s School doing their vision, hearing, scoliosis screenings and maintained their immunization records, until December of 2013, when she had to finally hang up her nurse’s cap, due to illness.
Frances touched the hearts of many people, especially children. There were not many people in the Nederland area who did not know Mrs. Langston, the school nurse. When she would see a former student, not only would she recognize them, she would remember their name. She did much more than give medications and bandage wounds, she humbly gave of herself to help others who were in need. She said helping students to be healthy and prevent diseases was a wonderful teaching experience for her and that a smile, thank you, or a hug from a student when a health service was rendered was very rewarding. Her gentle, calming touch could put a child’s fear at ease if injured or if frightened during an asthma attack. Often a trip to Mrs. Langston’s office could result in a peppermint and a smile.
Frances was also a great encourager. She believed in getting a good education, and doing your best, while achieving your goals. Many family and friends entered the health care profession, due to her encouraging spirit. Frances had a big heart, always putting other’s needs before her own. She taught home health and baby care for the Red Cross during the Korean War. She also helped families care for their terminally ill patients, free of charge.
Frances believed in supporting her profession by being members of the American Nurse Association, National School Nurse Association, Texas Association of School Nurses, Texas Nurse Association, Texas School Nurse Administration Association, Nederland Teachers Association and was a life member of TSTA, where she held positions of President, Vice President and was on the Board of Directors of TSTA School Nurses. She even lobbied for the School Nurse Association during the 1970’s. She also supported her husband, J.D, with the Nederland Babe Ruth League, serving on local and state Boards in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Frances was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Nederland, served on many committees, helped lead Jr. High Methodist Youth Fellowship and taught Sunday school to 4th and 5th grade students. She had great faith in God and when down or troubled, she encouraged others to count their blessings and they wouldn’t be down for long.
Frances was also known for making her old fashioned molasses cookies. If there was a death in the family, an illness, a holiday, or celebration of any kind, she would treat everyone to her delicious molasses cookies.
Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Langston Conway of Beaumont; granddaughters, Amanda Conway Hawthorne and her husband, JJ, of Silsbee and Alyssa Daniele Conway of Beaumont; great-granddaughters, Madeline Grace Miller and Paityn Diane Hawthorne, both of Silsbee; sisters, Betty Mericle of Nederland and Donna Bevil of Port Arthur; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. D. Langston; her parents, John H. Bevil and Rosa Bevil; great-granddaughter, Hannah Nicole Miller; brothers, John Bevil, Max Bevil, and Robert Bevil; and sister, Louise Hemmenway.
A gathering of Mrs. Langston’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2014, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 10:00 am, Monday, July 14, 2014, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3531 Helena Avenue, Nederland, with entombment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Langston’s memory to “Lamar University Foundation”, for Frances Bevil Langston Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
Special thanks to the staff of Harbor Hospice for their excellent care in the last days of Frances’ life.
