Ann Mayo Shands

Memorial services for Ann Mayo Shands, 94, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Congregational Church with The Reverend Randall K. Green officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home, and a private burial of cremations will be at Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Ann Mayo Shands passed away peacefully Monday, May 19, 2025. She was born October 7, 1930, the daughter of Annie Dunn (Estes) and John Wayland Mayo, in Texarkana, Texas.

Her family moved to Dallas when she was a Junior in high school, where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. She attended Stevens her freshman year in college then transferred to the University of Texas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. It was there she met her soon-to-be husband, HJ “Bubba” Shands, Jr. They were married March 24, 1951 and moved to Lufkin where they raised their two children, Becky and Jay. Ann’s greatest joy was being a wife and mother. Her strong faith and family were her top priorities.

Ann was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Lufkin for many years and served in numerous capacities. Years later she was one of the founding members of Christ Congregational Church where she was a passionate member. She particularly enjoyed playing in the handbell choir making beautiful music with close friends.

Ann was the first in Lufkin to bring Dyslexia awareness to our community. She was the driving force to create the first dyslexic tutoring program in our area at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School.

Ann was passionate about volunteering in the community and helping those in need. She was one of the founding members of the Lufkin Service League, now the Junior League of Lufkin. She served on the Salvation Army board for many years and was instrumental in the creation of the Salvation Army Adult Day Care Center in Lufkin. In addition, she was on the board of Buckner Children and Family Services and volunteered at Memorial Hospital.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Becky Getter and husband Kerry; son, Jay Shands and wife Susie; her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the apple of her eye; grandchildren, Annie Getter Brown, Richie Getter and wife Cameron, Rob Shands and wife Elizabeth, Hill Shands and wife Brittany, and Matt Shands and wife Chloe; great-grandchildren, Brady, Isabel, and Hudson Brown, Saylor and Reese Getter, Cece and Mollie Shands, Judge and Magnolia Shands, and Townsend and Rowe Shands; niece, Alyce Ann Baggett; nephews, Richard Baggett and Mike Mayo; and sister-in-law, Delle Mayo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, HJ “Bubba” Shands; parents, John and Annie Dunn Mayo; brother, Bill Mayo; in-laws, Mary Jule and Ele Baggett; and niece, Leigh Ann Mayo. Ann was a close family friend of the Temple family for many years and was married to Arthur Temple for a brief time at the end of his life.

We extend our sincere thanks to all of her devoted caretakers, especially Mary Hulett Massey, who has been a close family friend and caretaker for 20 years. Special thanks go to all of the PineCrest sitters and Hospice in the Pines staff who enveloped Ann with love and compassion, especially the last few weeks of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Congregational Church, 105 Saddle Creek Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, The Salvation Army of Lufkin, 412 S Third Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901, Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School Dyslexia Fund, 1115 S John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or to a charity of your choice.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.