SARAH ELIZABETH THERIOT
Sarah Theriot, 75, of Lumberton died Saturday, December 11, 2004 at her home in Lumberton, TX. A native of Lufkin, she grew up in Galveston, and spent a few years in Beaumont before accompanying her husband to New York City. She was a homemaker, and very proficient in making new homes in New York City, then Lumberton, and then to New York City again followed by moves to Houston, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, and then back to Houston, and finally back home to Lumberton for her last 17 years. Only a woman of her strength and vitality could have done this in support of her husband’s career. Only a woman of her determination and character could have suffered through and recovered from 3 episodes of paralytic spinal inflammation in the last 8 years of her life. During the years after each episode of quadriplegia and rehabilitation, she was a true homemaker again, functioning with the help of a wheelchair, walker, and an iron will.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.P. Morgan and Elizabeth (Mann) Wise. Survivors include her loving husband of 37 years, Walter A. Theriot; her son Robert T. Currie and wife Ruth of Temple; daughters Karen Ballentine of Silsbee, Martha Scott and husband Samuel of Belize, Lisa Diaz of Beaumont; stepson Guy Theriot of Colorado Springs; stepdaughter Lisette Hodges and husband Steve of Port Arthur. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren; Stephen Currie, Paul Currie, Michael Currie, Jon Torres, Angel Torres, Heather Hittenberger, Courtney Diaz, Nathan Ray, Alice Griffith, and Yancey McFall. She also left behind 9 great grandchildren, all equally loved including Tobi Burgan who was the most equally loved and closest to her Grandnan. And last but not least, her brother Charles Lyons and wife Pam, brother in law Joseph Theriot of Florida, and sister in law and friend Elise Johnson of Rhode Island; friends from the old days, Thea Andrews of Port Arthur, Gloria Brayall of Orange, CA. Eileen Holland and Judy Saxon of Beaumont; and many nieces, nephews and close relatives from Louisiana, Texas, Ohio and other far flung places.
In accordance with her wishes, Sarah’s body will go directly to cremation. There will be no wake and no services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Christopher Reeves Paralysis Foundation, 500 Morris Drive, Springfield, N.J. 07081.
The family extends grateful thanks to the staff of The Hospice of Texas, and especially to Crystal Bell and Diane Cravey for their gentle loving care during her final months. We came to consider them as part of the family. Thanks are also due to Dr. Sessions and the staff of the Jasper County Medical Center. They never gave up, and no pain or medical problem was to small for their concern.
The family extends grateful thanks to the staff of The Hospice of Texas, and especially to Crystal Bell and Diane Cravey for their gentle loving care during her final months. We came to consider them as part of the family. Thanks are also due to Dr. Sessions and the staff of the Jasper County Medical Center. They never gave up, and no pain or medical problem was to small for their concern.
