Laurel "Lolly" VanDevender

Laurel "Lolly" VanDevender, 84, of Port Arthur, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2026, at Bonne Vie Nursing Home in Port Arthur. She was born on January 4, 1942, in Portland, Maine, to Lawrence and Barbara Taylor. Lolly dedicated her life to caring for others, serving as an LVN at Park Place and Mid Jefferson Hospitals before she began working at DuPont’s Sabine River Works. She retired after 25 years of service as Dispatcher.

Lolly was a long-time and devoted member of the First Christian Church of Port Arthur, where her beautiful voice graced the choir and her hands played the bells. She also generously offered her time helping in the church kitchen. Beyond her church community, Lolly was an active member of the Eastern Star, Golden Triangle Emmaus, and Golden Triangle Chrysalis, finding joy and camaraderie in these organizations. She was also a Lifetime Member of the Port Arthur Little Theater, where she met the love of her life, Carl. She cherished time spent with family and friends, often gathered around a table for spirited games of dominoes and cards, and found creative expression through sewing.

Lolly is lovingly remembered by her sons, Eric VanDevender and his wife Kim, and Chad VanDevender and his wife Gina. She was a cherished grandmother to Taylor VanDevender Herring (Kyle), Kyle VanDevender (Hanna), Julian VanDevender (Kinnedy), Kelly Young (Gabriel), Vanya VanDevender, Marta VanDevender, Misha VanDevender, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Barbara Taylor; her beloved husband of 51 years, Carl VanDevender; and her sister, Carol Jolly.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, Texas, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Port Arthur, 5856 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, Texas 77642.