Valeria Coffey Oaks

Valeria Coffey Oaks was born into this world June 27, 1931. She was the third of four children born to the union of George Jackson and Nora Davison Coffey. She left this world for her heavenly home on Dec. 7, 2015 with a host of family and friends waiting there to greet her. She was 84 years old.

Mrs. Oaks was born in Lufkin and was a lifelong resident of Angelina County and grew up in Burke. She was a graduate of the Lufkin High School Class of 1947. She graduated when she was 17 after excelling in her studies and advancing a year in high school.

Mrs. Oaks graduated from Elliott Business College in 1947 after completing the required courses in less than half the time it normally took to graduate. She was recognized in the Lufkin News and by the president of the college for being the college's youngest graduate.

Mrs. Oaks moved to Houston and in 1948 was deputized by the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Realizing the big city was not for her, she longed for friends and family and returned to Lufkin.

She met the love of her life, John Henry Oaks, at a church picnic in Burke and they were married April 16, 1949. Two daughters, Belinda Jayne and Rhonda Beth, were born to their union. The family settled in Hudson.

Mrs. Oaks served as church secretary at Parkview Baptist Church for 12 years and then as Division Secretary over Health Careers, Radiology and Emergency Medical Services at Angelina College Health Careers Division for 20 years. She retired in 1997.

Mrs. Oaks was a born again Christian. She devoted her life to her family and let no one stand in the way of their happiness. She lived the Christian life by example and stood in the light of God's grace daily. Mrs. Oaks suffered a stroke in May and experienced ongoing health issues.

She leaves behind to carry on her legacy of love, daughters and son-in-laws Belinda and Phillip Lasswell and Rhonda and Sonny Donaldson; six grandchildren, Gary Michael Hornbuckle, David Lynn Lasswell and wife Whitney, Teresa Trammell and husband Greg, John Calvin Marshall, Steven Ryan Marshall and wife Jennifer, and Beau Donaldson and wife Brandie; 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Ezzie Oaks and several nieces and nephews.

Valeria and John were married 60 years before his death in 2009. Also preceding her in death were sister, Muriel Hardin; brothers George Reginald and Arthur Lavonne Coffey; parents, George and Nora Coffey; brother-in-laws Ritchie Wyman and Vernon Albert Oaks and sister-in-law, Ernestine Oaks.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hunter Looney and the staff of Southland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Lufkin for caring for Mrs. Oaks as if she was their own family; the emergency room staff of Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin for their care in the last moments of Mrs. Oaks' life, and Carroway Funeral Home for the dignity shown to the family. The sympathy and expert care of these professionals will always be remembered.

A graveside service will be held to celebrate the life of Mrs. Oaks at Garden of Memories Memorial Park on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Steve Cowart officiating.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.