Olevia “Billie” Hebert Gafford, 93, of Beaumont, passed away January 17, 2012, at Jefferson Rehabilitation Center. A lifelong native and resident of Beaumont, she was born August 21, 1918, to Cornelia Blanchette Hebert and Felix Martin Hebert. She was the last surviving child of Felix Hebert, and the grandchild of Joseph Martin Hebert, pioneer cattleman of Southeast Texas.
Survivors include her two sons, James L. Gafford, Jr. and his wife, Karen and Richard “Dicky” A. Gafford and his wife, Pat, all of Beaumont; two daughters, Sandra Lee Harville and her husband, Bob of Pearland and Patricia “Pat” Coldewey of Beaumont; eight grandchildren, Mike Harville and his wife, Amber, Sheila Hilburn, Kim Haney and her husband, Bubba, Dana Stark and her husband, Gary, Vicki Rudder and her husband, Jay, Traci Tucker and her husband, Artie, Cory Gafford and his wife, Annette, and Elizabeth Wetzel and her husband, Daniel; seventeen great-grandchildren, Jennifer Lawler and her husband, Brett, Kristin Beyer and her husband, Cody, Brian Tucker, Luke Harville, Phillip Hilburn, Blake Tucker, Kelsey Haney, Laura Harville, Hannah Rudder, Dylan Rudder, Kylee Rudder, Will Harville, Emily Wetzel, Caleb Gafford, Olivia Wetzel, Ashlyn Gafford, and James Wetzel; and was expecting her first great-great-grandchild.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Leland Gafford; six sisters; three brothers; her son-in-law, Leon Coldwey; and her grandson, Chris Gafford.
The family would like to thank all of her caregivers and the staff from Compassionate Care Hospice and Jefferson Rehab for their love and devotion.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2012, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 19, 2012, followed by a Christian Vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m., at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, Texas 77705 or to Anayat House, P.O. Box 5934, Beaumont, Texas 77726-5934.
