Nellie Long Havard

Services for Nellie (Long) Havard, 96, of Diboll, will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 21, 2013 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Lester Hutson and Reverend Gene Hazell officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Nellie was born on June 13, 1916 in Groveton, Texas. She passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013 in a local nursing facility.

Nellie was the last surviving sibling of the six children born to Rufus A. and Cora Murrell Long.

Nellie graduated from Massey Business College in 1972 and worked as a bookkeeper for Waller Sheet Metal for many years. She was married to Lonnie I. Havard for 64 years until his death in May of 2000. She was an active and faithful member of Fairview Baptist Church for as long as her health permitted, and was willing to work wherever she was needed. She especially loved working with the children in the nursery, and was Sunday School Secretary and Church treasurer until the age of 94. Her kindness and gentleness touched the lives of many. Gardening was one of her greatest pleasures.

Those she leaves behind with precious memories are her son and daughter-in-law, Hilburn and Janie Havard; grandsons and their wives, Lance and Holly Havard, Eric and Kelly Havard, and Neal and Darlene Harvard; great-grandchildren, Heather, Jeffery, Noah, Olivia, Samuel, Rachel, and Alexa; 1 great-great grandchild, Gemma; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Nellie was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Long; sisters, Vanda Ashworth, Cleo Pillows, Myrteal Carpenter and Bea Heath.

Nellie’s family wishes to thank the entire staff of Southland Healthcare Center for the loving care given to her.

Pallbearers will be Lance Havard, Eric Havard, Neal Havard, Rolston McDuffie, Larry Parsons, and Bill Stovall.

Memorial contributions in Nellie’s memory may be made to the Cemetery Fund at Fairview Baptist Church, 3742 FM 2108, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

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

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home