Mildred Harder Killbuck, 96, of Beaumont died Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at Sabine Oaks Nursing Home. A native and lifelong resident of Beaumont, she was born on October 31, 1914, to Patty Mabry Harder and Edward Julian Harder. Mildred retired as the Personnel Office Supervisor for Gulf States Utilities after thirty-seven years of service. She was a member and former teacher of children and young people at First Baptist Church; a member of Elizabeth Sunday School Class and Baptist Women’s Buckner Group; and a member and past president of the Beaumont Chapter of Soroptimist International, where she chaired District and National committees. For many years she was an active worker for Beaumont Community Players in the Little Theatre at the Fairgrounds. Mildred was also a member of the Woman’s Club of Beaumont; she served as chairman of the Art Department’s Sabine Area Art Exhibit for a number of years. After retirement, Mildred developed her artistic talent, studying with a number of well-known artists. Her work has been displayed and sold at The Art Museum of Southeast Texas, The Beaumont Art League and the Beaumont Women's Club. Her watercolor of the Neches River was awarded the Grand Prize in the Neches River Festival Art Show. Many Killbuck originals hang in the homes of friends and former co-workers.
Survivors include her son Robert Brown Killbuck, Jr. and his wife, Betty of Magnolia; nieces, Edra Harder Bogucki and Ann Harder; granddaughter, Lisa Killbuck of Magnolia; and her best friend, Frances Engelbrecht.
Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2011, at Broussard’s, with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or Girls Haven, 3380 Fannin, Suite A, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
