Paula Ann Benoit Thibodeaux
Published 5:00 am Friday, December 15, 2023
Paula was born on Feb. 27, 1953, and went to be with her Lord on Dec. 8, 2023. She was the first born of Russell and Dorothy Benoit of Lake Charles, La. She graduated from Lake Charles High School and was the first in any generation of her family to earn a college degree. Paula obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in office administration in 1975 from McNeese State University. While there, she was a member of Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, where she served as president her senior year, and little sister of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity.
In 1977, Paula married Terry M. Thibodeaux and worked to help him earn his college degrees. In 1987, they made their home in Huntsville, Texas. The joy of her life was her son, Mark Russell, and she took great pride in all of his accomplishments. Later, another joy entered her life when her granddaughter, Adalyn Shay, was born, which in time brought still more pride in her accomplishments.
In addition to the jobs she held in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, she also volunteered in the school system as room mother, PTA officer, and band booster mom. She was also active at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church including service as Sunday school teacher, nursing home minister, and on the collection counting committee. She loved to read, to do embroidery, to collect elephants, to tend to her flower gardens, and was a huge Astros fan.
Preceded in death by her father, Russell L. Benoit; mother, Dorothy Benoit, and grand-parents Mary Gaubert and Louis and Edna Benoit; Paula is survived by her husband of 46 years, Terry; her son Mark; granddaughter, Adalyn; brother, Guy R. Benoit; nephew, Shandon, and numerous extended family and friends who were all very dear to her.
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, with a rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at 9 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Huntsville, with a reception afterward in the church hall. Interment will be on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 in Lake Charles, La. at Highland Memorial Gardens. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.
