Dr. Lulu L. Smith Washburn, community and civic leader died peacefully at her home on March 1, 2011 in her 84th year.
The service will be held at Broussard’s Mortuary, 2000 McFaddin, on Friday, March 4, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be at Broussard’s Mortuary from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. Pallbearers will be Harrison Holditch, Steven Locke, Thomas Locke, Doug Mattingly, George Hoffman and Jack Lee.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Born near Leesville, Louisiana, on November 7, 1926, Lulu was the daughter of Nancy and J.L. Smith and the youngest of six children. During her high school years, the family moved to Beaumont where she graduated from Beaumont High School in 1942. She earned her B.A. from the University of Texas, her M.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed her residency in Montreal, Canada in 1960. She returned to Beaumont to open a private, family practice and to be closer to her family.
Throughout her life, Lulu was devoted to family, the arts and community. She held very high standards and expectations of herself and others. Bowa, as her family called her, was always concerned with an individual reaching their “full potential.” She was extremely generous with her love and time and matriarch to a family that loved her very much.
While in private practice, she was elected as the first woman to serve as President of the Beaumont Academy of Medicine and was Chief of Staff for three years at Baptist Hospital, Acting Director of the City of Beaumont Health Department, and Consultant Physician of BISD. After closing her practice in 1984, she lent her expertise to such institutions as Lamar University as Physician and Director of the Health Center and HMO Blue-Golden Triangle as Medical Director.
Among her many accomplishments, she was elected to the Beaumont City Council in 1987 and served Ward 1 constituents for 20 years. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the development and renewal of many of Beaumont’s finest treasures, including preserving the Jefferson Theatre and Hotel Beaumont, strengthening the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, gaining the historical designation for the Old Town District and the revitalization of Downtown Beaumont. As a member of Texas Municipal League and the National League of Cities, she was a proponent of Beaumont’s priorities, needs and concerns in both Austin and Washington, DC. Lulu was active in the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, The Beaumont Family Services Association and Rotary Club. Among her many awards, she was honored by the American Heart Association, chosen as a recipient of a Ben Rogers and Francis Morris Racial Justice Award, the Amset Board of Trustees Ambassador to the Arts, the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” as a community volunteer, the Doris and Harry Starr Award for Excellence and the Chamber of Commerce Athena Award.
Preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Dr. Wesley W. Washburn, she is survived by her nephew, Kenny Locke and wife, Toni of Beaumont; nieces Karen Atfield and husband, Clay of Arlington; Debbe McNeil of Cypress; Cindy Holditch and husband, Jerry of Tomball; great nieces, Hollan Gibson, Lauren Locke and Kendall Holditch; great nephews Morgan McNeil, Steven Locke, Harrison Holditch and Thomas Locke; step-daughter, Liz Ford and husband, Troy; and nephew, Gordon Washburn and wife, Sonya of Houston; numerous other relatives and friends and her beloved dog, Max.
The family gives special thanks to Bowa’s trusted and loyal friend, Billie Lee. Also, the family truly appreciates the care and companionship provided by Cindy, Maria, and Genie Marie, along with Brenda and Norma and the other caregivers of HomeInstead.
