Jessie Mae Johnston was born July 12, 1928, to Annie Valerie Romere and Abel Leonard Ledet. She was proud of her Cajun ancestry and her Catholic heritage. Jessie Mae grew up in South Park and graduated from St. Anthony School where she participated in the band and was a cheerleader. She received all her sacraments throughout her life at St. Anthony Cathedral and always felt a special connection with her classmates and her church family.
Jessie Mae married her neighbor from down the street, Archie Johnston, and pursued her most serious vocation: loving wife and mother. Archie was employed as an electrician in the oil fields with Sun Pipe Line. Jessie Mae worked as the ultimate homemaker, providing love to the growing family, which would number seven children, 16 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.
Jessie Mae was the true epitome of a saintly matriarch and reigned with unfailing love, dedication and grace. Her cooking skills rivaled the best chefs. Her specialty was comfort food, and it was always bounteous and served with a smile. Jessie Mae enjoyed doing daily crossword puzzles in ink, watching the Wheel of Fortune, keeping up with family on Facebook, watching sports- especially the Astros, and family time at the beach. She is remembered as the moral anchor of the family.
Jessie Mae is survived by her children, Judi C. Benoit and her husband, Ronnie, of China; Rick M. Johnston and his wife, Cathy, of Sour Lake; Tommy D. Johnston of Beaumont; David B. Johnston and his wife, Ruthann, of Longview; Keith R. Johnston and his wife, Robin, of Lumberton; and Jill P. Alborn and her husband, Matt, of Cypress: granddaughters Carol Albrecht, Amanda Burkhalter, Judy Peterson, Sarah Johnston, Jessica Johnston Padia, Meg Johnston, Kindell Johnston, and Lauren Johnston; grandsons, Ryan Johnston, Aaron Johnston, Chuck Benoit, Justin Johnston, Michael Johnston, Reuben Johnston, Eric Alborn and Adam Alborn; and 19 great- grandchildren; brother, Dale A. Ledet and his wife, Dianne, of Houston; brother-in-law, Jerry Colichia of Port Arthur.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of sixty-eight years, Archie L. Johnston; son, Robert Archie Johnston; brother, L.J. Ledet, and sister, Maxine Colichia.
A Rosary for Mrs. Johnston will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with visitation to follow at 5:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 225 West Barkley, Sour Lake, with interment to follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Sour Lake.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1359, Sour Lake, Texas 77659; or to Harbor Hospice, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.
The family would like to express a special loving thank you to two caregivers, Anita Harris and Joyce Thompson, the Harbor Hospice Staff for their kind and compassionate care and to Father Martin Nelson for his spiritual support.
