Bessie Jenel Thibodeaux

Bessie Jenel Thibodeaux, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Jenel was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Verna Addison and Jesse “Jay” James White on March 26, 1937.

Jenel was born and raised in Lake Charles and graduated from LaGrange High School in 1956. She devoted herself to being a homemaker while her children were growing up, lovingly sewing their clothes, preparing their meals, and making sure she was present for every event and milestone in their lives. Once her children graduated, Jenel began driving a school bus for Calcasieu Parish, where she transported children with special needs. She dearly loved and cared for the children on her bus, treating them with the same kindness and compassion she showed her own family.

Jenel also worked at Abrahams Tent, where she found joy in serving others. She was a faithful member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church before later becoming a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was actively involved in the Catholic Daughters, the Altar Society, and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

In her spare time, Jenel enjoyed visiting garage sales and thrift stores, smoking cheese, creating stained glass, tending to her vegetable garden, and sewing. Above all, she loved cooking for others. Sharing a home-cooked meal was her way of showing love, and caring for others through food was truly her love language.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Leland Thibodeaux and wife, Shelia, Jennifer Pettis, Phyllis Thibodeaux, Calvin Thibodeaux and wife, Kecisa, and Troy Thibodeaux; grandchildren, Michael, Sara, Justin, Crystal, Aaron, Jacob, Beth, Kourtni, Kolin, and Bethany; great-grandchildren, Keaton, Hannah, Breanna, Zachery, Jessica, Adalyn, Ashton, Jeb, Cooper, Gray, and Stone; and brothers, James “Jimmy” White and Loran White.

She is preceded in passing by her beloved husband of 61 years, Lionel Valsin Thibodeaux; her parents, Verna Addison and Jesse “Jay” James White; her sisters, Beverly White and Barbara White Salvo; and her daughter-in-law, Patti Thibodeaux.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael, Jacob, Justin, Kolin, Brett, Keaton, and Zach.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., with a rosary recited at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.