Rosa Bernice Modisette Maberry

Funeral services for celebrating the life of Rosa Bernice Modisette Maberry, 96, of Lufkin, will be held Monday, May 19, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of First Baptist Church of Lufkin with nephew, Todd Stracener, officiating. Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery, Highway 59 North. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the church chapel before the service.

Bernice went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, May 16, 2014. Bernice was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1918, in the home of her parents, Augusta Dell Hawkins Modisette and David Hampton Modisette, in the Lala Hill Community of Angelina County. She was the third of five children, having three sisters and a brother. During the depression the family moved to Huntington, Texas where Bernice was a Red Devil cheerleader. After graduation the family moved to Lufkin and Bernice enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State Teacher’s College. Her father made arrangements with a tall handsome young man named Ted Maberry to drive his daughter to and from college each day. Ted and Bernice fell in love and were married on October 14, 1937. They settled in Lufkin and raised four children. The Maberrys were active members of First Baptist Church in Lufkin where Mrs. Maberry was a greeter of the church and social chairman of the Rebekah Sunday School Class.

Bernice loved the Lord and wore out several Bibles studying the scriptures. She taught her children what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus and often sent them “little love notes” of encouragement with special Bible verses.

It brought much joy to Mrs. Maberry to call and play the harmonica for family and friends on their birthday and anniversary. She kept a notebook of names with special dates, which she added to each year. Her list grew to over 2000 names and earned her the title of “The Harp Lady”. Bernice also loved the piano and volunteered at several nursing homes to entertain residents. Her gift of service won her recognition as one of “Nine Who Make a Difference” awarded by KTRE, the local ABC affiliate.

Mrs. Maberry was preceded in death by her husband, Reginald “Ted” Maberry; her son, Ronald Stephen Maberry; brother, Van Modisette; and sisters Ruby Hicks, Elizabeth McNeil, and Dennie Malee Culbertson.

Survivors include her daughter Lynda Cheavens Zimmerman, son, Michael Reginald Maberry and wife Terri all of Lufkin, and daughter, Emily Dell Nichols and husband Fred of Tyler. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was known as “Bubbe” by all that knew and loved her.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, John Cheavens, Ted Cheavens and Zach Maberry, and grandsons-in-law, Clay Dubose, Jason Smith, Kevin Braughton, Bill Evans, Dale Boone, Stephen Cato, Jay Harrelson, Greg Forkel and Jameson Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons.

The family would like to say thank you to good and faithful friend, Vicky Matthews for her many years of service, and to Terri Jones of Bethany Home Health. Also, to Buzz and Karen Patrick for their love and thoughtfulness through the years, and to Heart to Heart Hospice for bringing peace to our family during this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lufkin’s First Baptist Church, 106 E. Bremond Ave., Lufkin, Texas 75901; or to Redland Baptist Church, 234 Redland Church Rd., Lufkin, Texas 75901.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors