Isla Rae Procter

Isla Rae Procter

Isla Rae Procter, 94, of Beaumont, died Monday, November 14, 2016. She was born on September 6, 1922, to Mable White Mullican and Earl Mullican, in Eunice, Louisiana.

While she was born in Eunice, Isla Rae spent her childhood and adolescent years in DeQuincy, La. It was there she enjoyed singing duets in church with her father who died when she was just 11 years of age.  She and her four siblings spent their afternoons helping their mother at Mullican’s Café and Rooms which her mother, Mabel, opened to support her five children. Isla Rae’s high school years were spent proudly leading the marching band as Drum Major.

While sitting in the local pharmacy one day a handsome young pharmaceutical salesman from Beaumont, Texas walked through the door.  It was love at first sight.  Isla Rae loved to tell the story that when he walked in the door he was engaged, but when he left, he wasn’t any longer! Thus, on November 19, 1944, she became Mrs. Doak C. Procter, Jr. They enjoyed a happy married life for 59 years until Mr. Procter’s death in 2003. They settled in Beaumont where they became the proud parents of two children, Doak III and Patricia Ann.

Isla Rae will always be thought of as the epitome of grace and loveliness.  Her ladylike talents and interests included being an expert seamstress, costume designer, needlepointer and embroiderer.  As a contrast she loved crossword puzzles and college football! She dedicated her talents to the Neches River Festival in many capacities including serving as Social Chairman. Perhaps her most generous gift was the many generations of capes, orders and attendants costumes she designed and executed with loving care.

Isla Rae enjoyed making every holiday special for her family.  The first day of Christmas break was always celebrated with her four grandchildren baking Christmas cookies. Halloween meant full size candy bars, punch and cupcakes. Birthdays were celebrated by taking each child birthday shopping. 4th of July was spent sitting in lawn chairs eating homemade ice cream while holding more sparklers than any one child should be allowed!

As a wife, mother and grandmother she will mostly be remembered for the sparkling blue eyes that characterized the lady that was always “dressed to the nines.”

She is survived by her son, Doak C. Procter III and his wife, Laura and daughter, Patricia Ann McSpadden and her husband, Floyd, all of Beaumont; grandchildren, Doak C. Procter IV, J. Winston Procter II, Jenni Rebecca McSpadden, and Floyd Fuller McSpadden III; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Eddie Clair Kent; and brother, Jake Mullican.

A gathering of Mrs. Procter’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A family graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; or to the Neches River Festival Otho Plummer Scholarship, 2643 North Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.