Lynne Marie Bridges Booker

Funeral services for Lynne Marie Bridges Booker, 59, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church of Lufkin with Pastor Stephen Lantis officiating. Private burial will follow in the Berry Cemetery.

Many whose lives have been touched by Lynne will be saddened to learn of her death. After a valiant battle with cancer, Lynne died Wednesday, October 19, 2011. Her engaging spirit, her talent for friendship and her passion for enhancing the lives of others and her community led her to contribute to a wide array of individuals, spiritual communities, and philanthropic and civic organizations including The Lufkin State Supported Living Center where she had recently been named the Chair of the Board, First Christian Church where she served in many capacities including Elder, youth sponsor, Sunday School teacher and member of many committees, the Mosaic Center, Leadership Lufkin, Angelina Beautiful Clean, The Angelina Arts Alliance, The Junior League of Lufkin, and many activities in Lufkin's public schools including serving as the President of the LHS Panther Pride Providers. Her faith in God was exemplified through her service and love of others.

Lynne was born February 29, 1952 in St. Joseph, Missouri, and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. An early accomplishment was her selection as a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader. She attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City and Oklahoma State University and eventually pursued a career in one of her life-long passions, blood donor recruitment. She rose to the position of Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the largest blood bank in Kansas City, Missouri; the Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City.

Succumbing to the charms of a Texas boy, she met and married the love of her life, Robert Prentiss Booker in 1986. He soon whisked her away to what would become their new home, Lufkin, Texas. Radically transforming her life from corporate executive to wife and mother, Lynne and Robert were overjoyed by the birth of their daughter Blaire Elizabeth. She and Robert cherished the years she was able to devote to creating the happy and loving home they shared, which was always filled with laughter. Robert's untimely death occurred in 2006. Lynne returned to her profession in blood banking and most recently worked as the Blood Donor Recruiter in the Lufkin area for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.

Survivors include her daughter, Blaire Elizabeth Booker of Houston, Texas; sister, Jennifer Bridges Newman, brother-in-law, Jeb Newman and their children Stuart, Caleb and Cara Newman, all of Lee's Summit, Missouri; brothers, Christopher Bridges of Harrisonville, Missouri and Patrick Bridges of Grandview, Missouri; parents-in-law, John O. and Ruby Booker of Pineland, Texas; sister-in-law, Judith Booker of Houston, Texas; brother-in-law, John Olin Booker III, wife Melinda and their son Erik of Pineland, and John Olin Booker IV of Lufkin, Texas; and her faithful dachshund, Heidi.

In addition to her husband Robert, Lynne was preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Elizabeth (Sterling) Bridges; father, Robert Leonard Bridges, Sr.; and brother, Robert Leonard Bridges, Jr.

Throughout her life, Lynne cherished her extended family of friends and never so much as in these last few years. Surviving close friends and her care team include Yvette Alverson, Margie Brody, Rita Rush, Debbie Jackson and Cyndy Aldred; ""The Chicks"", her Emmaus Reunion Group; great neighbors, Charlotte and Dale Anderson; her friend and caring physician, Dr. Sid Roberts; the caring team at M.D. Anderson; Hospice in the Pines; and Quality Care Services. Many other special friends who are too numerous to mention; the phone calls, texts, cards, flowers, meals and other expressions of love and support bolstered and comforted Lynne greatly.

Pallbearers will be Jeb Newman, Stuart Newman, Caleb Newman, Austin Anderson, Dalton Goodier and Dylan Goodier.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Elders of First Christian Church, as well as John Olin Booker IV, Clay Alverson, Jim Rush, Jim Brody and Tyler Smith.

Should one wish to commemorate Lynne's life with a memorial donation, she was particularly supportive of the Lufkin State Supported Living Center, P.O. Drawer 1648, Lufkin, Texas 75902, First Christian Church Youth Programs, 1300 South First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901 and The Mosaic Center, P.O. Box 154225, Lufkin, Texas 75915 or online at www.mosaiccenter.org.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.