Juanita Lucille Benoit, a devoted family caregiver and cherished member of the Port Arthur community, passed away on March 29, 2026, in Groves, Texas. Born on July 18, 1937, in Port Arthur Texas, Juanita’s life spanned nearly nine decades, during which she exemplified the virtues of love, dedication, and steadfastness.
A lifelong resident of Southeast Texas, Juanita retired from Southwestern Bell where she was a supervisor and trainer. Her commitment and work ethics earned her the respect of colleagues and friends alike. Juanita was called by many names, Mom, Mimi, Grams, JB, Aunt Needer, Tuit, Sister, Mama Noit, Mamasita, Miss B, and she would often hear the Barney Fife rendition of “Juan-nita.” Yet, it was in her role as a family caregiver that she truly shined. She loved each and every family member with equal and unwavering devotion. Juanita’s home was always open to her children’s friends where they found a safe haven. A sweet memory that lives in the hearts of all who knew her.
Outside of her professional and family duties, Juanita found joy in gardening, often tending to her plants with patience and determination. She took particular pleasure in pulling weeds from her garden and just about everywhere she went. She even found satisfaction in the simple task of killing ants, a pastime revealing her practical nature and attention to detail. She enjoyed reading her Bible and all the activities that the Body of Christ entailed. What really put a smile on her face was children. She could not walk past a baby without saying, “I want to take you home with me!”
Her family is the center of her universe. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Tessy Cryer and husband Greg of Kountze, Tina Johnnie and husband Dennis of Groves; her son, Rusty Benoit and wife Sharon of Groves, and nephew Joe Dean and wife Brenda of Houston. Her legacy lives on through her devoted grandchildren; Lacey Simon and husband James, Mindy Hickman and partner Lauren Battershell, Jesse Benoit and wife Blaire, Jake Benoit and wife Aubrie. Additionally, she is the proud great-grandmother to Sophia “Pia”, Sadie, Carter, Colton, Bryson, Blakely, Wyatt, and Ali. Juanita’s kinship extends with brother Torrey Dean and wife Margaret “Maggie” of Homosassa, Florida. Juanita has numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in Texas and Louisiana who will cherish and remember her.
She is preceded in death by Dudley Benoit Sr, her husband and father of her children and second husband, Robert “Bobby” Lee. Her mother Martha Lucille; her brother, Robert Dean and sister-in-law Barbara, brother, A.C. Dean, and sister, Verna Romero.
The family will gather to pay their respects and celebrate Juanita’s life with visitation and funeral services held on April 2, 2026, at The Temple, located at 4101 Texas 73, Port Arthur, Texas 77642. Visitation is 10:00am to 11:00am, followed immediately by the funeral service at 11:00am. A graveside service will be held at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches after the funeral service.
Juanita Benoit’s life was a testament of love and care within a family, widowed at a very young age she carried the weight of mother and father for many years, she was a three-time cancer survivor, a woman with the strength of a mighty warrior in many ways. Most importantly though, Juanita loved the Lord and she constantly prayed for her family and before she left this earth, she saw all her prayers answered. So, this is from her, “Y’all need Jesus!”
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations made of Juanita to the building fund at The Temple.