Doreen Perkins Havard

Memorial services for Doreen Perkins Havard, 77, of Lufkin will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with visitation at 3:00 p.m. and service at 4:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel, located at 2704 S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas, with Dr. John W. Greene officiating. Burial of cremains will be during a private ceremony with family at Fielder Memorial Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mrs. Havard was born Monday, March 1, 1948 in Chelmsford, England to her parents, Phillip and Doris (Morton) Perkins. She died peacefully at her residence Sunday, January 18, 2026, surrounded by loving members of her family.

Growing up in Chelmsford, Mrs. Havard met the love of her life - a young American, Robert Lee Havard of Lufkin, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force at the time. The two fell madly in love and were married in 1964. When her husband returned to the United States at the end of his military service, Doreen accompanied him to Lufkin, along with the couple’s first child.

After serving her family as a homemaker for a short period of time, Doreen took a job with the Hudson Independent School District. She worked as a cafeteria employee until all four of her sons started school.

In 1979 she took a job with Atkinson Candy Company, where she worked for 24 years. Doreen made many cherished friendships during that time, but in 2003 she left her job there and began a job serving the people of the Fuller Springs and Huntington areas as a carrier for the Lufkin Daily News, a position she and Robert Lee held for more than 20 years.

She was very dedicated to each job she had, but nothing was more important to her than her family. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren were always her first priority, along with her parents and sisters.

She had a vigorous love for Jesus and made sure that everyone she met was fully aware of that fact.

Doreen was a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. However, her greatest title was that of “Nanny”. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone who knew Doreen as a result of them knew her by this loving title of endearment. She wasn’t just their “Nanny”, she was everyone’s “Nanny”. Many times, “Nanny’s” love surfaced from her kitchen. From her Sausage Casserole to her Shepherd’s Pie, Nanny knew how to feed the people she loved, and she loved doing it. One of her greatest joys was seeing others enjoy what she had labored and sacrificed to provide for them.

Mrs. Havard was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Robert Lee Havard, as well as her parents.

She is survived by her sons, Robert Wayne Havard and wife Melissa of Bald Hill, Michael Dwain Havard and wife Theresa of Hudson, Steven Shane Havard of Hudson, and James Cameron Havard and wife Deanna of Hudson; grandchildren, Robert Kendall Havard of Lufkin, Jennifer LaRue of Jefferson, Kaylee Havard of Hudson, Jade Havard of Apple Springs, Camryn Havard of Hudson, and Trevor Havard of Elmore, Alabama; 10 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Linda Cook and husband Brian of Kelvedon, England, and Diann Vail of Hudson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.