Jean Thomas Dorrell

1926 - 2023

Jean Heloise Thomas Dorrell, 96, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on February 24, 2023 in Florida at the age of 96. Jean was born on June 23, 1926, in El Dorado, Arkansas, the youngest child of Hardie Lee Thomas and Annie (Stallings) Thomas. Jean grew up in Grayson, Louisiana with many maternal cousins, aunts and uncles.

Education was always emphasized in her family and Jean had a desire to be an educator at an early age. Following her high school graduation in 1943, Jean attended and graduated from Northwestern University, and also attended Louisiana State University (LSU) graduating with a Masters in Education in 1949.

After graduation, Jean moved to Beaumont, Texas in 1949 to start a teaching career at Lamar State College of Technology (later Lamar University), that would last over forty years. Jean made lifelong friends with many Lamar faculty members, especially her two closest friends Dr. Mary Alice Baker and Dr. Cynthia Barnes.

Jean married Earl Dorrell on September 1, 1951 in Beaumont, Texas, having met him at Lamar after he returned from serving in WW II. They settled in South Park, later moving to Vidor in 1960, where she would live most of her adult life. They had four children: Jeff, Perry, James and Jean Ann.

Jean loved to read and write and she excelled as an author, as demonstrated by her winning numerous writing competitions. She also authored several Business textbooks that were used by Lamar and other universities. She authored and presented several professional papers, both domestically and internationally. Jean was involved in the International Business Communication Association and frequently traveled internationally. In post-retirement, Jean was a certified parliamentarian and supported multiple organizations in that role.

Jean is survived by sons Perry (Sue), James (Pam) and daughter Jean Ann (Dan); grandchildren Jessica Morgan (Josh), Chris Dorrell (Maggie) and Ashley Hargrove (Grayson); 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and loving friends. Jean passed on many wonderful things to her children and grandchildren including the thirst for higher education, and her love of reading, writing and travel. She was preceded in death by her son Jeff, brother Hardie Thomas, and sister Cyrille Alvarado.

Jean loved nothing more than a good cup of coffee or a glass of Asti Spumante, Jeopardy, a good book, the company of her cat Tressie Mae, and the love of family. Jean's ashes will be interred in the Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson Louisiana near numerous other family members. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the Collier Park Assisted Living Center, and her special sitters and friends Julie Savoy, Elsa Watler, Leonor Cabrera and the late Monique Provost who provided loving care and support in the last years of her life.