Maryann Reid Duplantis

Maryann Reid Duplantis

November 15, 1934 – February 9, 2024

Maryann Reid Duplantis, 89, of Port Arthur, TX, passed away on February 9, 2024. She was born November 15, 1934, to Robert (Bob) Bledsoe Reid and Roxie Ragsdale Reid. 

She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School (1 year early) in 1953, then later earned a degree from Port Arthur College (later known as Lamar University) after attending many years of night school.

She began her career at City Loan in Port Arthur, then was an accountant at Gulf States Utilities, before working for Sabine Towing and Transportation. There she held several positions including assistant to the vice president of finance, insurance and risk manager, and manager of deep sea tanker personnel. She stayed with Sabine Towing for 36 years until her retirement. While there, she became the first female recipient of the Maritime Person of the Year Award, (previously known as Maritime “Man” of the Year Award). 

Maryann married Carl Duplantis of Port Arthur on June 4, 1955, and had three children, Carl Reid, Adie (Pokie) Denise, and Rob Harris.

Maryann’s life purpose was raising Reid, Pokie, and Rob.  She loved being a mother and was a fierce protector of her kids, encouraged them to pursue their dreams, and supported them in all their life endeavors.  She selflessly invested in so many people over the years, seeing the potential in everyone and never judging or condemning.  The lives that have been forever changed by the wisdom, opportunity, and unconditional love that she shared are countless.  If you grew up with her kids, were a part of her family or community, worked with her, or shared life with her then you knew that Maryann was a true friend that never asked for anything but gave without limits. 

While being an essential member of the maritime industry, she was also an accomplished artist, a world traveler, and a devout reader. She embraced other cultures, respected other religions, and accepted different points of view. She was unconventional, wise, open-minded, and years ahead of her time. 

She was a role model in living one’s truth even when it is not the popular path, fearlessly breaking glass ceilings, and actively investing in the lives of others.  Her greatest joy in life was her granddaughters with whom she had a personal deep relationship.  She left an indelible handprint on all our lives, and we are who we are because of her.

Maryann was preceded in death by her parents Robert (Bob) Reid and Roxie Reid, sister Erlene Johnson, stepbrother Garth Grizzard, and stepsister Iris Grizzard.

She is survived by her children, Carl “Reid” Duplantis, Adie “Pokie” Duplantis (Eric Wilson), Rob Duplantis (Tamy Duplantis), 6 granddaughters: Meagan Duplantis Seelye (Bill Seelye), Makayla Duplantis (Wade Ellis), Angie Cruise (Willie Cruise), Stephanie Miller (Matthew Dozier), Carli Duplantis, Maci Duplantis Stierwalt (Mason Stierwalt), and 7 great-grandchildren: Addison Cruise, Charlotte Cruise, Benji Miller, Coby Miller, Audrie Dozier, Maverick Dozier, Malia Ellis and Cooper Rob Stierwalt, as well as many other loving family members and friends.

A gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, at Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland with a “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service to be conducted immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  A graveside service for family and close friends will be conducted Saturday, February 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenlawn cemetery in Port Arthur.