Nola Bebee Slack Prudhome

Funeral services for Nola Bebee Slack Prudhome, of China, TX will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Chapel in Beaumont. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. in the Graceland Cemetery in Lake Charles, LA. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 5-8:00 p.m.

Nola was born April 15, 1917 near Iowa, LA. She grew up in a pioneering rice farming family. Nola married Martin Slack in 1935. They settled near Fenton, LA where they had four children and carried on the rice farming tradition.

In 1955, a tragic accident took the lives of Martin Slack (age 43) and Shirley Faye Slack (age 12) the oldest daughter. Nola decided to continue farming and in 1963 bought a rice farm near China, TX where she relocated with her two youngest children, both teenagers.

She was a member of the China United Methodist Church and was recognized in the area as an outstanding woman operator of a rice, cattle and crawfish farming operation. She also served on the Board of Farmers Home Administration for several years. She retired in 1991 but continued a large garden to date.

Nola passed away at her home near China after a brief illness at the age of 96. God rest her soul.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Lewis of China, TX; sons and daughters-in-law; Cecil and Pam Slack of China, TX, Leroy and Carolyn Slack of Sulphur, LA; grandchildren, Randy Slack (Shelly) of Fulsher, TX, Veronica Felix (Dr. Brian) of Sugarland, TX, Sara France (James) of Wheeling, WV, Dr. Tobin Slack (Genifer) of Beaumont, TX, Shane Lewis (Rebecca) of Nome, TX, Boots Lewis (Judy) of Warren, TX, Greta Crawford (Shannon) of Lumberton, Justin Lewis (Melissa) of China, TX, Keith Slack and Ashley Waller (Shane); 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, and father of their four children, Martin Slack; her second husband, Preston Prudhome; her daughter, Shirley Faye Slack; brother, Raymond Bebee and son-in-law, Frank Lewis.