Carol Louise Howard Rabalais, 72, of Nederland, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She was born on July 18, 1944 in Urbanna, Illinois, to Daisy Lucille Nugent and Ralph F. Howard.
Carol was, among many things, a poet, artist, and published author, all of which helped to illustrate her full spirited and whimsical nature. Through the years, she found much joy in researching and discovering her and her husband’s genealogy; she was also an avid lover of fishing and gardening. Carol took great pride in and had a deep love for her grandchildren acting as a second mother to them all.
Survivors include her husband, John L. Rabalais of Nederland; sons, Bobby J. Rabalais and his wife, Tracey of Houston; John E. Rabalais and his wife, Maria of Nederland; and Jason A. Rabalais and his wife, Jennifer of The Woodlands; daughter, Cristina M. Rabalais-Moore and her husband, Jason of Nederland; grandchildren, Ashley, Dylan, Sarah, Angel and Liliana; a great-grandchild on the way; brother, Ralph Howard and his wife, Carol of Kansas; sister, Melissa Boswell and her husband, Richard of Bedford; brother, Randy Howard and his wife, Kathy of Fishville, Louisiana; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and her lifelong friend, Larrie Elms.
Memorial contributions for Mrs. Rabalais may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10004 or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210.
A gathering of Mrs. Rabalais’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with her vigil at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Broussard’s; 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2017 at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
