Rosemary Margaret Murphy Neumann, 84, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on December 24, 2011, in Houston, Texas. A resident of Beaumont for most of her life, Rosemary was born on April 30, 1927, to Therese and Thomas Murphy, who preceded her in death. She was an active member of St. Anne Catholic Church, where her involvement included St. Anne Ladies, the Newman Club, and the 49ers. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends sharing stories about the many decades of her life experiences in Beaumont. She attended and graduated from St. Anthony Catholic School in Beaumont. She graduated from St. Mary of the Woods College, the nation’s oldest Catholic women’s liberal arts college, located in Terre Haute, Indiana. During her time in college she met her future husband Bernard Neumann and together they moved to Beaumont early in their marriage to start their family. After raising her family, Rosemary enjoyed over twenty years of working as a substitute teacher in Beaumont schools.
She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-three years, Bernard “Bud” Neumann; her brothers, Robert Murphy and Richard Murphy; and son-in-law, Clarence Kemper, Jr.
She is survived by her children: daughter, Cathy Gerik and her husband, Phil of Waco; son, Dr. Thomas Neumann of Lubbock; daughter, Cheryl Kemper of Franklin, Louisiana; and son, Tim Neumann and his wife, Roxann of Houston; grandchildren, Matt Gerik and his fiancé, Melissa Cervenka of Arlington, Pam Gerik and her fiancé, James DeStefano of Houston, Thomas Neumann, and Adam Neumann of Austin, Caroline Stiel and her fiancé, Andrew Strohm of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Donnie Stiel and his fiancé, Abby Hart of Lafayette, Louisiana, Katelyn Stiel and her fiancé, Lon St. Blanc of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Kara Neumann of Houston; great-granddaughter, Aidan Rose Tyler of Lafayette, Louisiana; her brother, Raymond Murphy of Dallas; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Murphy of Wylie, and Patria Murphy of Dallas; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Berda Oliver for the exceptional care she provided Rosemary during the final months of her life.
A gathering of her family and friends will begin at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2011, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, 2011, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, with Rev. Msgr. William Manger officiating. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, 2291 Pine Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Matt Gerik, Donnie Stiel, James DeStefano, Andrew Strohm, Lon St. Blanc and George Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702.
