Geraldine Chapman Philen, 90, of Nederland, died Friday, July 18, 2014, in Port Arthur. She was born on October 11, 1923, in Crockett, Texas, to Ruby Vaughan Chapman and John A. Chapman.
Geraldine’s main loves were church, home, and family. In 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Jack G. Philen, Jr., and throughout their fifty-four year marriage she enjoyed hosting gatherings for family and friends. Her home was always a center of activity. She enjoyed traveling and vacationed in all fifty states plus eight foreign countries. Geraldine enjoyed research and devoted ten years to the research and writing of A Philen Heirloom, a genealogical book covering 100 years of Philen lineage and corresponding historical context. The copywrited book is in genealogical reference libraries in several states as well as the Library of Congress. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and making scrapbooks. Her family remembers her kindness, cheerfulness, friendliness, acceptance, and unconditional love.
Geraldine was baptized at the age of 12 at Calvary Baptist Church in Port Acres where she was a charter member. She was a lifelong active Baptist church member, teaching and holding offices in Sunday school, WMU, YWA, and Children, Youth, and Adult groups. Geraldine was an active member of First Baptist Church in Nederland since 1974.
She was a legal assistant with a specialization in wills and probate. Geraldine worked for private law firms as well as a probate assistant for a Jefferson County Judge and probate clerk for Jefferson County Clerk’s Office. She was a charter member of the Legal Assistant Division of the State Bar of Texas.
Geraldine is survived by her daughters, Joyce E. Philen and her husband, Farrell Menard and Janis L. Carlin and her husband, Cliff; grandchildren, Kevin Thiery, Brock and Meagan Carlin, Josh and Jessica Carlin, Lucas and Hannah Carlin; step grandchildren, Harry and Tammy Menard, James and Cathy Menard, and Michelle Conrad; great-grandchildren, Sierra Thiery, Jagger, Judson, Jack, and Jett Carlin, Luke, Raylen, Kellen, Alik, Josslyn, Danil, and Caris Carlin, Christian Carlin, and Addie Foret; step-great-grandchildren, Michael Reising, Harry Jr., Cain, Brittany, and Kayla Menard, Ashlynn Romero, Kyra Simmons, and Curitin Conrad; sisters, Gwen Gaspard and her husband, Leonard Gaspard and Golda King; brother, John Chapman and his wife, Ann; sister-in-law, Milda Sutherland; and by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.
She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Vaughan Chapman; and by her husband of fifty-four years, Jack G. Philen, Jr.
The family appreciates all those who gave special care and attention to Geraldine in her last years, dear friend Betty Fontenot; Deacon Bruce and Carolyn Stracener; friend and neighbor Elvira Jones; the staff of Lake Arthur Place, formerly Cypress Glen East; and Gentiva Hospice.
A gathering of Mrs. Philen's family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Broussard's, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2014, at Broussard's, with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Philen's memory to First Baptist Church, 1911 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.
