Denise Claudel Haney

Services for Denise Claudel Haney, 85, of Lufkin, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2013 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. David Merritt officiating. Interment will follow in the McKindree Cemetery.

Mrs. Haney was born on May 8, 1927 in La Bresse and grew up in Reims, France, the daughter of the late Alice (Grosjean) and Andrew Claudel. She passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2013 in a local hospital.

She was a very wonderful person who lived an exciting and rewarding life. She lived through Word War II in France during difficult days of hunger, death and bombings. When Allied Troops arrived in Reims, France, she met the love of her life, Henry Haney. They were married on November 24, 1945, and became a "War Bride." She came to the United States not knowing a person or being able to speak English. She overcame cultural and language barriers and raised 5 children. She retired from the Lufkin State School. Mrs. Haney was an active member of McKindree Baptist Church until the time of her death.

Survivors include her children, Marie and Richard Gill of Lufkin, Anita and Jim Weaver of Lumberton, Patty and Bobby McGaughey of Lufkin, Steve and Charlotte Haney of Etoile, Sandra King of Lufkin and Larry King of Riceville, Tennessee; brother and sister-in-law Jean-Pierre and Marcelle Claudel of St. Etienne, France, 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Haney was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Haney; grandson, Daryl Hall; son-in-law, Oren Hall; brother, Rene Claudel; and sister, Margaret (Gui Gui) Negron.

Pallbearers will be Cory Haney, David Weaver, Zachary McGaughey, Joshua McGaughey, Jared Hall and Cody Spears.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home