Darlene Jarvis

Funeral services for Darlene Jarvis, 79, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Keltys First Baptist Church with Brother Scott Attebery and Pastor Mark Livingston officiating. Praise and Worship leader will be Dave Vandergriff. Interment will follow in the Gann Cemetery with Brother Jerry Browning officiating.

On March 22, 2017, Geneva “Darlene” Jarvis completed her earthly service to our Savior Jesus Christ and is now resting in His presence in Heaven. She touched the lives of many people while she was here and the contributions she made to her family and church will be remembered for years to come.

Darlene, as she preferred to be called, was the oldest of 2 children born to Ernest Arvel and Ollie Mae (Baker) DeLaFosse and grew up not having a lot but doing her best with what God gave her.  She was the top of her class in school at Hudson but moved to Humble her senior year where she was also the top of her class at graduation. However, because of the move, she never received the honor of valedictorian at either school. She told stories of the times that as a young lady she would help her father in his logging operation, going to the woods and driving the log truck to and from town for parts and supplies as he instructed her. It didn’t seem to matter what the challenge, she met it with a can do attitude and she lived that way all of her life.

She married Alfred Jarvis and they made their home in Lufkin where they lived all their lives. During the early years of their marriage, Darlene was a homemaker that raised 2 children, Andy and Jill. In addition to this, she had a desire to serve God in ministering to children not just in her local church but on the state and national levels as Sunbeam Promoter. She was always looking for new and better ways to teach not just her own but many children about God. Later in life, she worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance and Burke Center but despite the many demands on her time, she continued to serve in children’s ministries as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School director and Awana leader. She and Alfred were members of Keltys First Baptist Church since 1971 and for most of that time, she served as church clerk as well as Missionary Baptist Associational clerk for Angelina County. Even with all this, she always made time for her husband and family. She would plan many family gatherings and loved to cook for all that would come. There was never anything asked of her that she did not willingly help do for others. If there was any special event for her husband, children, daughter-in law, son-in-law or grandchildren, you can know that she would be there and in full support for whoever was involved. Darlene was indeed a giver and a servant for God!

Darlene is survived by her son, Andy Jarvis and wife Lea of Lufkin; son-in-law, Scott Attebery and grandson Bryce of Conway, Arkansas; grandsons, Aaron Jarvis and wife Mallorie, Adam Jarvis and wife Ashton; great-grandson, Lincoln Jarvis; great-granddaughter, Reece Jarvis, all of Lufkin; sister-in-law, Sandra Jarvis Green and husband Karol of Lufkin; nieces and nephews, Robyn DeLaFosse Green of Austin, Texas, Kara Bohall and husband Troy, Leann Lucas, all from Lufkin, Kalon Green and wife Jennifer of Spring.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Earnest Arvel and Ollie Mae DeLaFosse; mother-in-law, Lora Novella Berry Jarvis and father-in-law, Newton Franklin Jarvis; husband, Alfred Newton Jarvis; daughter, Jill Jarvis Attebery; and brother, Earnest Earl (Bo) DeLaFosse.

Pallbearers will be Joe Harbuck, Jake Lyon, David Landrum, Patrick Largent, Jimmy Nunn, Jeff Griggs, Darrell Richardson, Bob Harris, James Jones, Bill Adams, Kevin Gee and Paul Tinkle, all Deacons of Keltys First Baptist Church.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles DeLaFosse, Phillip DeLaFosse, Ronnie Hunt, Karol Green, Troy Bohall, and Kalon Green.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Keltys First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 3043, Lufkin, Texas 75903.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Keltys First Baptist Church.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.