Mary Lee Bellow and her twin brother Joseph Lee (deceased) were born on Jan. 30, 1924, to Louisiana Charlot and Ellis Thibodeaux in Lewisburg, La. They were the oldest of six children. Mary grew up in Lewisburg and later moved to Lawtell, La. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Gervis Anthony Bellow in Church Point, La. In later years, they moved to Lake Charles and then Mossville, La., where they made their home.

Mary was a sweet, loving and kind-hearted person. She always had a smile on her face, and she never met a stranger. Everyone who met and knew her personally called her "Mom" for her special homemaking skills. Mary "Mom" loved to cook, she loved being at home gardening, and she loved her home. She enjoyed staying home, especially to rear her six children. Mary moved her church membership to St. John Bosco in her early years in the Mossville community and remained there until she moved to her Heavenly home.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents, Louisiana and Ellis Thibodeaux; her twin brother, Joseph Lee Thibodeaux; four brothers, Leo Paul Thibodeaux, Ellis Thibodeaux Jr., Richard Thibodeaux Sr. and Adam Thibodeaux; and also her two sons, Joseph Earl and Joseph Whitney.

Mary "Mom" leaves a legacy of love to two daughters, Shirley Ann Bellow and Carolyn (Clarence) Rideb-Sparks of Lake Charles, La.; two sons, John Bertman (Janis) Bellow of Houma, La., and Paul Ricky Bellow of Lacassine, La.; 13 grandchildren; numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; and especially her personal caregiver, Lavonica Malveaux.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: August 22, 2015

Her funeral will be at 11am Saturday, August 22, in St. John Basco Catholic Church in Westlake. Burial will be in Perkins Cemetery under the direction of Combre Funeral Home. Visitation is from 9am Saturday in the church.