Jeannette Kuhlman

Jeannette B Kuhlman passed away on March 23, 2026 at the age of 95. Born in Waco, Texas in 1930, she lived in Beaumont from 1941 and in the same house for over 61 years. She moved to Fredericksburg, Texas in April 2025. In addition to raising two children, she was very active in the Beaumont First United Methodist Church (FUMC) where she made many lifelong friends. She was an outstanding wife, mother, cook and extremely dedicated and committed helper of others. Somewhere in Heaven they will be enjoying her seafood gumbo, fried chicken and fried shrimp. Jeannette was an inspirational positive role model for her children, grandchildren and others she came in contact with during her life.

Jeannette was born in Waco, Texas on September 8, 1930 to John Flynn Barefield and Wilma Katherine Chastain Barefield.

Jeannette lived outside of Waco, Texas until 1941 when her mother died suddenly and she moved to Beaumont to live with relatives while her father left to fight in World War II. She later attended and graduated from Beaumont High School. In 1950 she married John L Kuhlman, Sr. who she met while working at Mobil Oil in Beaumont. She was married to John Sr. until his death in 2004.

She was very active in FUMC for decades. For many years, she was in charge of managing weddings held at FUMC. Later she worked tirelessly with other FUMC members on the Estate Sale Committee which ran estate sales for primarily FUMC members. The Estate Sale Committee, in addition to providing great value to those they served and FUMC, also became a great source of lifetime friends and another social outlet for Jeannette.

Jeannette was a “ball of fire” with tireless energy and was frequently helping out friends and working in her yard. She cultivated a yard full of beautiful Azaleas and roses that bloomed each spring. She was a master seamstress, making clothes for herself, family and friends. She was also a shade tree mechanic, helping a son restore a 1966 Ford Bronco.

Jeannette and John Sr. traveled all over the world with their friends, Paul and Betty Woods, Abe and Barbara Henderson, among others.

Jeannette, is survived by her two sons, Blake and John Jr and their wives Rosemary Kuhlman and Susan K Wheeler, respectively. She also has four grandchildren, Carrie Kuhlman, Zachary Kuhlman, Karl Kuhlman and Zane Kuhlman. She had three step grandchildren, Anne Manning, Haley Simmons and Dillon Cheverere. Carrie’s husband is Nick Mueller. Zachary’s wife is Sarah Henderson Kuhlman. Haley’s husband is Kendal Simmons. Jeannette also has four great grandchildren, Charlotte Kuhlman, George Kuhlman, Mary Claire Kuhlman and Daniel Mueller. Daniel’s middle name is Barefield, in honor of Jeannette and her father, John Flynn Barefield. Daniel was born on the same day John Flynn was born 113 years earlier. Jeannette has three step great grandchildren, Parks Cheverere, Quinn Simmons, and Mario Simmons.

The family would like to give special thanks to Rosa Moyer in Beaumont who provided great care to Jeannette in her later years. Also, a special thanks to Judy Franks and Linda Thompson, who provided transportation and other assistance to Jeannette for years once Jeannette could no longer drive. Jeannette’s last year was spent in a memory care facility in Fredericksburg, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jeannette’s honor can be made online to First United Methodist Church of Beaumont or the Alzheimer's Association.

There will be a graveside interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Beaumont on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2 pm followed by a Memorial Service and reception at the Forest Lawn facility adjacent thereto shortly thereafter.