Earline Acosta

Earline “Henry” Acosta, 94, of Nacogdoches, TX, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, July 19, 2025 surrounded by family and loved ones.

She was born on September 14, 1930 in Nacogdoches, Texas to her parents, Tom and Lora Acosta.

Earline married the love of her life, Leo Acosta, on August 25, 1947. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising seven wonderful children, and many grandchildren, great-grand children and great-great-grandchildren, over 68 joyous years of marriage before Leo’s passing in 2015. Mr. & Mrs. Acosta’s greatest legacy left behind is their huge family.

She loved music— anything she could dance, stomp her feet, and clap or lift her hands in praise to. She loved to sing, even if it was off key or she didn’t know the lyrics well. Music would flow from her house out of open windows and doors. She loved gardening— cultivating many flowers, plants & fruit trees that filled her yard, as well as crops of peas, okra, tomatoes, squash, cantaloupe and watermelon. She enjoyed tending to her plethora of farm animals, including horses, cows, chickens, pigs, dogs and cats. She enjoyed fishing in one of their ponds or camping down on the bank of Bonaldo Creek with her family. She loved to travel and was always ready to hit the road whenever the opportunity arose. Her family’s common phrase to her— “Where you goin’ now, roadrunner?!” She was phenomenal in the kitchen, “famous” among family and friends for her down home cookin’ and “cat head biscuits”. Among her greatest joys was hosting her family and friends— the more the merrier— and playing dominos or a card game late into the night. Her home was known for celebrations of all kinds, always packed wall to wall and out the door, flowing into the yard with family and friends. She opened her home to anyone in need of a bed or a meal, truly loving everyone as Jesus did. She was known for her affinity for natural herbal healing. No earthly healing power was ever quite as impactful as her signature remedy of hand-warmed white liniment being massaged into her “patients” ailing body as she prayed fiercely for God’s healing grace over her loved one. She could often be found in the kitchen juicing or concocting some kind of herbal remedy, often involving garlic, the smell— her family always fussed about. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and as her husband referred to it, “meddling” around the house. You never knew what she was going to get into next. Through and through, she was a homemaker, and her home was always a sanctuary of love and comfort for all who entered it. Above all, however, was her love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She laid a thick foundation of faith and conservative values among her children and grandchildren. Throughout the day, her tv would display the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Though she never obtained a drivers license, she rarely missed a church service. If her husband was unavailable to drive her, one of her family members or friends would pick her up. She didn’t care what church she attended. As long as she was praising and worshipping, her heart was full. She worshipped God and Jesus fervently and was fearless in her conviction. Reaching the Kingdom of Heaven to be joined with her most loved and cherished people was her life’s mission and ultimate goal. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the incredible legacy she leaves behind in every life she touched. Though she has gone to her eternal rest, her spirit lives on in our memories, our traditions, and the love she so freely gave.

Ms. Acosta is survived by her children: son Johnny Louis Acosta and his wife, Betty, of Nacogdoches; daughter Evelyn Gaye Standridge and her husband, Kenny, of Pollok; son Jerry Lee Acosta and his wife, Terri, of Streetman; daughter Regina “Nanny” Collins and her husband, Jacky, of Nacogdoches; daughter Sherry Lynn Bizzell and her husband, Mike Nichols, of Blackjack; and daughter Anita “Nikki” Kay Scott and her husband, Bo, of Nacogdoches; along with 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 27 great-great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Evie Keller, numerous nieces and nephews, and a large host of family friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo Acosta; her son, David “Cobb” Acosta; her sisters, Maurine Ellis and Pearline Buster; a great grandson, JJ Buster and a great-great granddaughter, Ava Cantu.

The family of Earline Acosta invites friends and loved ones to gather in remembrance and celebration of her life. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors in Nacogdoches.

A chapel service, officiated by Pastor Tony Holder of New Life Church on the Rock and Pastor Mike Acosta of Grace Church Houston, honoring her memory will take place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., immediately followed by burial at Procella Cemetery.

Pallbearers include representatives from each of her children’s families: great-grandson, Brandon Harris (Louis); grandson, Dwight Wolf (Gaye); grandson, Nikkos Acosta (Jerry); great-grandson, Collin Muirhead (Nanny); grandson, B.J. Bizzell (Sherry); and grandson, Jake Scott (Nikki).

The Acosta Family would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to Harbor Hospice Lufkin and Sasha Husband, Garrison Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center, Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Ms. Rhonda Henry, Ms. Kelley Burks, Ms. DeeDee King, Ms. Dana Hogue, Mrs. Shelley Howard and Ms. Andrea Acosta for their dedication of care and support provided to Ms. Acosta.

In lieu of flowers, The Acosta Family ask that donations be made to: Love INC of Nacogdoches, P.O. Box 630423 Nacogdoches, TX 75963 or the Humane Society of Nacogdoches County, P.O. Box 631244 Nacogdoches, TX 75963, in honor of Earline Acosta and her love for those in need.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.