Betty Jo Tilleux Breaux, 86, of Lake Charles, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in the comfort of her home.

Betty, or “B Jo” as she was called by many of her close friends and family, was born in New Orleans on Aug. 21, 1935.  She was raised in Shreveport, spending summers at her grandmother’s country home near Grand Cane, La.

She discovered her artistic talents at a young age and practiced them on many different media including pencils, charcoal, pen and ink, oils and later watercolors.  These talents lead to her Bachelor of Art degree from Northwestern Louisiana University.

Betty met the love of her life, Allen Breaux, on a blind date to see the movie “Guys and Dolls” at the Lyric Theater in Lake Charles, La.  In 1957, when moving to Lake Charles, she unknowingly landed at the local airport as Hurricane Audrey was making landfall, a story often told with not so fond memories.  Betty and Allen were married shortly afterward on Nov. 16, 1957.

Betty worked for 26 years with the Lake Charles Area Office of Child Welfare where she eventually became the first Adoption Specialist for the five-parish region.  She loved her work helping to create families through foster care and adoption placements.  Her artistic talents came into use in working with children by creating life books telling each individual story with illustrations completed by each child, with her assistance.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of nearly 64 years, Carroll Allen Breaux of Lake Charles; three sons, Michael Alan Breaux and wife, Susan Gail Salvo, Steven Marc Breaux and wife, Susan Kay Thomas and Kevin David Breaux, all of Lake Charles; fourteen precious grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and  brother-in-law, Houston Davis.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tänya Breaux; her parents, Albert Emerson Tilleux and Clarice McMichael Tilleux; brother, Gerald Tilleux and sister, Marie Tilleux Davis.

A Ceremony of Remembrance will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at University Baptist Church.  Family and friends will gather Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of ceremony in the church.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.