Beverly Helms Hines

Beloved mother and friend, Beverly Helms Hines, 89, of Lake Charles passed away on October 13, 2025, surrounded by loving family and caregivers. Born November 16, 1935 to Herman and Audrey Helms, Beverly’s life reflected the grace, spirit and beauty of this community, which she dearly loved.

A proud 1953 graduate of LaGrange High School, Beverly’s interests were remarkably diverse: She had a tremendous love of the outdoors & nature, equestrian pursuits, school & college associations, performing vocally, and participating in local pageants & rodeos as well as antiquing, gardening and caregiving.

Beginning in 1950, she shared her talents for more than twenty years as a multi generational member of the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus. A gifted soprano, Beverly also performed in seven operas. She attended McNeese State University for most of her collegiate career as a noted voice major, beauty queen and cowgirl. Many of her accomplishments arose from her extraordinary beauty, grace, strength & elegance: She was a member of the Hi-Y Christian Fellowship 1950-1953, The LaGrange Trio, Beverly was invited to participate in fashion “Style Shows,” the LaGrange Glee Club, LaGrange High Homecoming Queen in 1952, LaGrange Gatorette Majorette from 1951-1953, represented McNeese in the the Miss Louisiana Pageant in 1954, selected for McNeese Homecoming Court in 1955, was a McNeese Cowbelle from 1953-1954. Beverly’s passion for music led her to join Sigma Alpha Iota, the national music fraternity for women and was President in 1955. She also had the honor of being the first Miss Lake Charles in 1956 subsequently 1st runner up for Miss Louisiana in Lake Providence.

She was beautiful, not just in appearance but in the way she lived: with compassion, conviction, and unwavering love. Stern when needed, yet always tender-hearted, Beverly taught those around her the meaning of kindness and resilience. Her loved ones were her world, and in that world she was the sun, warm, funny, radiant, and life-giving. Her dedication & fortitude to caregiving was phenomenal as she took care of her parents and husband Earl Jr. “Bucky” for over 20 years with absolute dignity & grace.

She is survived by four children: Scott Hines and wife Emi of Austin, TX, Jeri Vauquelin-LaPlante and husband Scott of Tracy, CA, Keith Vauquelin of Lewisville, TX and Earl Hines III of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and one sister, Nancy Berger of Houston.

A celebration of Beverly’s life will be held at 1:30pm on Friday, October 24, 2025, in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, 4321 Lake Street, with Rev. Angela Bolhof from University United Methodist Church officiating. Burial to follow in Highland Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be observed at the funeral home from 12:00 noon to the start of the service.

Friends and colleagues who wish to honor Beverly’s memory are invited to make donations in her name to the McNeese Foundation.