Theodosia "Theo" Houston

She was preceded in death by her father, Theodore Matthews; her mother, Jane Asher Matthews; her husband, Pancho Houston; and her son-in-law, Robert Hess.

She is survived by her son, Theodore Houston, and his wife, Becky, of Opelousas, Louisiana; her daughter, Kendall Caminiti-Hess, also of Opelousas, Louisiana; her nephew, James Sikes; her nieces, Kay Atkins and Lisa Romeis; as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Theodosia, lovingly known as “Theo,” was born on November 13, 1935, in Rogers, Arkansas. Her family later moved to Southeast Texas, where she attended South Park High School and met the love of her life, Pancho Houston. Theo pursued a lifelong passion for education, attending Lamar University and McNeese College, and later earning her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Sam Houston State University.

She began her career teaching Texas history and later became the librarian at Vidor Junior High School. Theo firmly believed that reading and education provided people with the resources they needed to navigate life’s challenges. This belief, combined with her deep love of books, motivated her to help establish a public library in the City of Vidor in the 1970s. She also played a key role in founding the Friends of the Library to support the new public library. In recognition of her dedication, she was later honored with the Theo Houston Texas/Genealogy Room at the Vidor City Library.

Theo was an active and engaged member of her community, always finding ways to stay busy and serve others. Whether she was raising “pup” plants for Friends of the Library fundraisers, serving as an election judge at local elections, teaching Sunday School, or acting as a trusted source of information and influence, Theo was known for her generosity of time and knowledge. During her retirement, she authored her book Portrait of Vidor, a six-volume history of Vidor and its surrounding communities. Throughout her life, she also worked to establish and support several local church libraries.

Theo was a longtime member of Maplecrest Baptist Church, where she faithfully taught Sunday School for many years. She spent the final two years of her life living in Opelousas, Louisiana, to be close to both of her children.

Serving as pallbearers will be James Sikes, Greg Jenkins, Chris Myers, Kennon Rainwater, David Valleau, and James Lawson.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the excellent staff of Hospice of Acadiana, with special thanks to her nurses, Colleen and Sharai, for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to some of her favorite organizations: Heart Beats of Hope; Friends of the Library, Vidor, Texas; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; or Hospice of Acadiana.

Theo lived a rich life full of love and service. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.