Lonnie W. Jeter, 86, of Groves, passed away on November 1, 2023, in Beaumont.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 6, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Groves. Officiating will be Dr. Joe Worley and Reverend Charles Miller. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 6, at First Baptist Church in Groves.
They say you don’t know what you have until it is gone, but we knew what we had. We had a husband and father and a friend that gave us everything we ever needed; not always just what we wanted. He knew what was important and he worked every day of his life giving us those things he didn’t always have growing up. He also gave Gwen & Michael a moral compass, stability and a father that was a companion and guide in this world. He was always available to take them fishing and camping & allowed them to help him do things, even when they may have slowed him down. He taught them about life by living his as an example. He not only loved us, but he lived that love out in front of us.
Born in Pitkin, Louisiana, on October 31, 1937, he was the son of John Nathaniel Jeter and Addie Amelia Scroggs Jeter. Lonnie was a devout member of First Baptist Church in Groves for 60 years. He was also a member of the Port Neches-Groves Masonic Lodge #1163. Growing up in LA Lonnie started picking cotton with his mom in their field at 2 when he used a flower sack she made for him. That began his work ethic & being a ‘Jack of All Trades’.
In the Army while flying 1961 drones, he received the top honor in Combat Surveillance & Target Acquisition Training Command. An expert carpenter, he added on & remodeling our home & built cabinets for others.
He was an avid hunter & fisherman & loved God’s nature, especially in Tyler Co woods & the lakes: Rayburn & Toledo Bend. He farmed 3 acres with produce to share with so many & was dedicated to doing his best at Texaco/Motiva/Star Ent. retiring at 55 of which he enjoyed every minute.
When Bridge City flooded after hurricane Ike, First Groves got together with Nederland for Mid-County KINDNESS DAY which was a huge outreach to those needing help. Lonnie worked with Steve Sasser’s group that day, but then for months later, they helped clean out & take Sheetrock down to studs. They did the same in Sabine Pass. God gave him a servant’s heart.
When we sold the farm & got the lake house I thought he would rest, but he found much more to do, never resting until now. He will be missed here but there is joy in Heaven.
He is preceded in death by his brother Donald Jeter; and sisters, Verna Gaspard, and Lois Burge.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Frankie Jeter of Groves; daughter, Gwendolyn Jeter of Groves; son, Michael Jeter and wife, Kathleen of Carrollton, Texas; nieces and nephew, Juanell, Kathy, Pam, and Greg.
Serving as pallbearers will be Allen Webb, Marc McConnell, Leo Hebert, Mike Trojan, Darrell Segura, and Bart Bragg. Honorary pallbearers are the Retirees of Texaco.