Billie Jean (Bryan) Walton

Celebration of Life for Billie Jean (Bryan) Walton, 82, of Lufkin, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park, 5205 S. First Street, in the Elwyn M. Gipson Memorial Chapel, with Bro. Blackie Cranford officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Walton was born January 27, 1933 in Port Arthur, Texas, the daughter of the late Lorene (Newsome) and Wesley Franklin Bryan. She passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 in a local hospital.

She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur in 1951. She attended Port Arthur Jr. College and later in life, Angelina Jr. College. She married Autry, the love of her life, on December 26, 1953 during his military service and following his discharge, they moved to Lufkin in 1955, where she has resided ever since. They celebrated 59 years of married life. She worked as a bookkeeper and accountant at several local businesses, the last being Bob Morgan Insurance.

Mrs. Walton was an avid bowler, volunteer of Girl Scouts as a Troop Leader, Day Camp Director and Neighborhood Chairman. She enjoyed seeing all of her girls grow up. She was very active in Denman Avenue Baptist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, nursery worker and Vacation Bible School worker. For the last 30-35 years, she had been plagued by health issues that have kept her pretty much homebound, but she was able to overcome them in order to care for her husband. Her faith never waivered – it always stayed strong. She had been actively involved with the LIFT Group and looked forward to their gatherings.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Leta Darlene Walton and Pete Haring of Mobile, Alabama; grandchildren, Kristen Denise Haring, Jennifer Ashley Haring and Thomas Lee Haring, all of Mobile, Alabama; sister, Nelta Ann (Bryan) Devine of Fort Worth; aunt, Gloria Newsome of Colmesneil; niece, Sherry Prichard and husband Marlon of Fort Worth; nephew, John Ferguson and wife Jannette of Vidor; several great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends; dear friends, Coy and Teresa Ditsworth of Pollok; and caregiver, Joneisha Bevil of Lufkin.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Walton was preceded in death by her husband, Autry Lee Walton; and baby, Darlene Walton.

The family looks forward to receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Gipson Funeral Home, with refreshments served.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.