Jean L. Brickhouse, 75, of Beaumont, died December 14, 2009, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia. A force of nature, she was known to all for her dynamic personality, irreverent sense of humor, generosity, and deep appreciation of family and friends.
A native Beaumonter, Jean was born July 30, 1934. She graduated from Beaumont High School and later received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Louisiana State University and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She taught elementary school in Lake Charles, and was executive director of Southeast Texas Arts Council. Jean started the public relations department of American Real Estate before joining the sales force as a realtor, where she became a million-dollar producer. She then joined Merrill Lynch as financial consultant where she became one of the region's top producers, made Chairman's Club for several years, and retired as a vice president. Jean was active in community endeavors, serving on several boards including Beaumont Heritage Society, Beaumont Association for Senior Citizens, Lamar University Friends of the Arts, and was President of Jefferson County Council on Alcoholism. She was also active in community theatre and conceived JEB Productions, an exclusive dinner theatre produced for visitors to meetings and conventions in Beaumont. Jean was also a member of Beaumont Junior Forum and created and launched the annual gala fund raiser, Luv Forum Follies, and was instrumental in founding the Beaumont Junior Forum Senior Citizens Center. An award-winning Bridge player, she and her husband traveled the world extensively.
She is survived by her husband of forty-four years, J. Earl Brickhouse; sons, Ronald J. and Jeffrey Len Theis, and Jamie Brickhouse. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy and Gladys Linnehan; brother, William Bond Linnehan; and her first husband, Capt. Leonard Theis.
A Mass of Christin Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 17, 2009, at St. Anne Catholic Church under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with Wyman Gilliam, Robert Hansen, Sheldon Greenberg, Charles Locke, Frank Eastman, Jim Austin, Robert Lee, George Dishman, and James Park serving as pallbearers. Dr. Scott Wallace is designated as an honorary pallbearer. A Christian Vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at Broussard’s.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions in Jean's name to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77726, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Suite 202C, Atlanta, GA 30047.
