Bettye Jeane Boyd Domingue, 90, of Beaumont, died Monday, October 10, 2016. She was born on April 7, 1926, in Houston, to Mayme Bonner Boyd and Erby Boyd.
Bettye is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Robeson and Denise Domingue, both of Beaumont; son, Kevin Domingue, of Spring; sister, Carolyn Stevens, of Alvin; grandchildren, Lauren Barrera and husband, Frank; Brandon Robeson; Erin Domingue; and Ryan Domingue; and great-grandchildren, Emily Barrera and Olivia Barrera.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Wallace A. Domingue, Jr.
A gathering of Mrs. Domingue’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, October 16, 2016, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 17, 2016, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701; Boy’s Haven, P.O. Box 5815, Beaumont, Texas 77726; or to Girl’s Haven, 3380 Fannin Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Bettye Jeane Boyd Domingue started her life during the Depression. At this time, she attended numerous elementary schools before settling in Houston, Texas. As a result of her daddy gaining employment at the Frito Lay Co., Bettye moved to Beaumont, Texas with her mother Maime Lou Boyd and her father Erby Boyd. While taking secretarial courses in high school, she met her future husband Wallace August Domingue Jr. through mutual acquaintances. Bettye graduated Beaumont High School Class of ’43. After graduation, Bettye worked as a secretary at a local refinery throughout Wallace’s naval service. Upon Wallace’s return, they married on June 21st, 1947. They started their family and then built their first home in South Park where they lived until the early 70s. During this period of her life, Bettye established herself as a loving wife, mother of three, seamstress and seasoned cook. Bettye and Wallace were members of the Caper Club, where they enjoyed dancing and the camaraderie with their fellow club members. She enjoyed weekend boating trips to Lakeview on the Neches with her family and enjoyed valiant attempts at water skiing. Her mother, Mamie, peaked Bettye’s artistic interest in antique dolls and antiquing. Betty enjoyed traveling to Houston with her mother where they had a ball finding antiques to bring home. While working at Jefferson County Airport, Bettye “caught the flying bug” and attended flying school under the radar. Together, Bettye and Wallace pursued their interest in private planes. A few years later, Bettye and her family moved to the North End. Despite Wallace’s lack of interest, Bettye enjoyed going on Norwegian cruises across the Caribbean where she never met a stranger. However, Wallace took great interest in snow skiing and loved to travel to Colorado which Bettye begrudgingly participated in. After these travels, Wallace bought a lake house, where the two of them both enjoyed their time with family and friends. In purchasing their Navion, this expanded their travels across the United States and Mexico. Their affiliation with the diverse group of Navioneers also expanded Bettye’s social life where she developed and maintained numerous friendships. During this period of travel in the late 70s, Bettye became a grandmother to her first granddaughter. However, this didn’t stop Bettye from traveling to Europe where she experienced the wonders and culture of Austria, England, and Germany. After her travels, Bettye was blessed with her first grandson, second granddaughter and second grandson. However, this didn’t stop her continued pursuit of her interests. While Bettye was balancing her life as a wife, mother and grandmother, Bettye became a member of a local doll club. At this time, Bettye became interested in the reproduction of antique dolls. As a result of her proficiency in doll painting, she decided to hold classes to share her talent with others. Not only was Bettye an expert in doll making, she expanded her talents into counted cross stich portraits. This continued into her later years which was accompanied by the birth of her first great-granddaughter and later on, her second great granddaughter. Bettye Jeane Boyd Domingue lived an accomplished and gratifying 90 years, full of memories and stories that will continue to be shared for years to come.
