Hester Mary Eddins

Hester Mary Zeagler Eddins, 91, was born on November 12, 1934, and entered eternal life on October 22, 2026, in Lufkin, Texas. Although a Lufkin High School (Class of 1952) and Southwestern University (Class of 1956) scholar, beauty, and thespian, her most beloved roles were daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was also proud of her role as “doctor’s wife” and administered first aid while patients “waited for the doctor” in her living room after-hours and on weekends, admonishing only that they try not to bleed on her carpet. During her daughter’s youth, she also served as “in loco parentis” to many Diboll teenagers, hosting a weekly Bible study and opening her home regularly to the community’s youth as they found their dance footsteps.

She was the daughter of Florence (Cotton) and Lee B. (Buck) Zeagler; the wife of Frank M. Eddins, M.D. (serving the Diboll and Lufkin communities as physician from 1964 until his death in 2011); the cousin (brother by heart) of Gilmore Cox (Marye); and the friend (sister by heart) of Rita Jo (Davis) Breckenridge.

Leaving to celebrate her life and cherish memories are her daughter, Florence (Flossy) Eddins- Folensbee, M.D. (Jonathan Kotler); former son-in-law, Rowland W. Folensbee, Jr., Ph.D.; grandchildren, Rowland W. (Tre) Folensbee, III (Kristen); Tyler E. Folensbee (Georgia); Matthew B. Folensbee; Meredith F. Folensbee; great grandson, Franklin M. Folensbee; and friend (sister by heart) Debbie Wilson.

As per her wishes, no formal services will be held. Her family requests that your love and memories be shared with them in a card to the family or via on-line submission to

gipsonfuneralhome.com.