Martha Sue “Blondie” Smith Benoit
Martha Sue “Blondie” Smith Benoit, 83, of Orangefield, passed away on December 23, 2015, in Port Arthur surrounded by her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, December 28, 2015, at St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield. Officiating will be Father Steve Leger of St. Henry Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm, with a Rosary being recited at 7:00pm, Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Born in Emblem, Texas, on September 30, 1932, she was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Smith and Lucy Dee (Spradlin) Smith. Martha was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She worked for several years in the cafeteria at Orangefield High School. She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield. “Blondie” loved to go dancing with the love of her life, “Blackie”. She was a wonderful cook and made the best cakes for the St. Helen’s Bazaar to be auctioned off. She loved plants and her favorites were yellow roses and orange gladiolus. She enjoyed sitting on the back porch and visiting with family and friends and watching the hummingbirds, dragonflies, and butterflies. She loved to talk, laugh, and tell stories. One of her favorite things to do was to rock her babies, grandbabies, and great-grandbabies. She always wanted to know if you wanted something to eat or drink. She would tell you if you looked tired and wanted you to go get some rest. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Ricky Dale Joseph Benoit and Mark Gerard Benoit; granddaughter, Sommer MiChelé Burk; brother, Jack E.E. Smith; brothers-in-law, Curtis Benoit, Thomas “Tick” Granger, Billy Ray Martin, and Ivan “Butch” Croak; and sisters-in-law, Iva Dell James, Myrt Benoit and Rosa Mae Benoit.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 wonderful years, Loveless Joseph “Blackie” Benoit of Orangefield; her children, Yvonne Fisher and husband David, of Orangefield, Geralyn Ochsner, of Orangefield, Matt Benoit and wife Jeanne-Beth, of Mauriceville, Teresa Kay Burk and husband Paul, of Orange; daughter-in-law, Barbara Benoit of Waller; special daughter and sister to the Benoit kids, Helen Mott Holmes, of Orange; siblings, Sarah Granger, Mary Lou Martin (twin), and Betty Croak; sister-in-law, Elva Jean Smith; brothers-in-law, C.J. Benoit and A.J. James; grandchildren, DeeAnna Chesson and husband Mike, Kyle Fisher and wife Karen, Jason Ochsner and wife Amy, Heather Ochsner, Amber Ochsner, Ricky Benoit and wife Larissa, Markus Benoit and wife Christine, Jeana DeLaney and husband Jason, Matthew Dale and Cory Benoit, and Shelley Burk Bagley; great-grandchildren, Ariel, Eric, Daniel and Austin Chesson, Morgan and Maggie Mae Fisher, Katelyn and Tanner Steele, Reed Galloway, Tylor Hargarve, Sophia Benoit, Gavin Allen DeLaney, Shalyn Bagley, and awaiting the arrival of Elijah Gerard Benoit; also with many nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends who love her.

Serving as pallbearers will be Matt Benoit, David Fisher, Jason Ochsner, Kyle Fisher, Ricky Benoit, Markus Benoit, Matthew Dale Benoit and Cory Benoit.
Honorary pallbearers will be C.J. Benoit, A.J. James, Mike Chesson, and Jason DeLaney.

For those who would like, the family requests that donations can be made to the Rose Garden at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 8105 FM 1442, Orange, TX 77630.