Elizabeth Faye Parish, 67, of Orange, Texas, passed away on November 16, 2018, in Orange.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Keith Meyer of Old First Orange Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, on December 21, 1950, she was the daughter of A.H. “Bob” Montagne and Celeste (Francois) Montagne. Faye started her career at West Orange Junior High School before going to Bridge City ISD in 1976 where she taught math for over 40 years. Students of Lamar State College Orange also benefited from her expertise as a teacher. She took great joy in every second she was able to touch her students’ lives. Faye’s dedication to her students’ success in the classroom but also in their extracurricular activities resulted in her receiving the Southwestern Bell Award from UIL as well as the 2010 Reaud Award. Faye was also recognized as the Bridge City High School Teacher of the Year (1986 and 2003), a Bridge City Chamber Employee of the Month (1999), a Bridge City Masonic Lodge Mirabeau B. Lamar Teacher of the Year and being listed 10 times in Who’s Who in American Education.
Throughout her career Faye’s contributions were acknowledged by both her students as well as her peers. In 1999, Faye arrived at Bridge City High where the students and faculty were wearing red and buttons on their shirts that declared that day was “Faye Daye”. They presented her with her favorite food dishes, cards and notes of gratitude to show how much she was loved. One of her colleagues described her as “the very definition of above and beyond” when talking about her dedication to education.
She coached BC math students many of whom became UIL state champions. Faye also took numerous students under her wing that ultimately went on to receive the prestigious Maribeau Lamar Scholarships. To say Faye had an impact on her students would be an overwhelming understatement, but her memory and impact will forever stay strong, through all those who had the chance to know and love her.
Faye was devoted to her family and friends, frequently hosting celebrations in her home which she thoroughly enjoyed decorating for every season and holiday. She spent her leisure time at home reading, working crossword puzzles and tending to her flowers. If she was not at home, you would frequently find her out shopping with her friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Celeste Montagne. She is survived by her children, Joe Parish and Sommer of Lumberton, and Luke Parish of Katy; grandchildren, Caileb & Saige Linscomb and Sarah & Gabriel Parish; and siblings, Robert & Lynda Montagne, Wilma “Rusty” Henry, David & Janet Montagne, and Ray & Susan Montagne as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Parish, Luke Parish, Kevin Montagne, Ben Meadows, Caleb Meadows and Grant Montagne.
The family would like to extend a thank you to Best Hospice, Mary Grimes and Margaret Guidry her caregivers for the love and kindness that they showed Faye. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BCH Faye Parish Scholarship Fund and sent to Mimi Hollier, 4464 Memorial Drive, Orange, Texas 77632.