Helen Gray Nerren

Funeral services for Helen Gray Nerren, 83, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother John Curry and Brother Jerry Young officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Nerren was born August 15, 1942 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Bessie (Newberry) and Rev. E.L. Gray, and died Saturday, April 18, 2026 at her residence after a lengthy battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s and her last days in bed surrounded by her loved ones.

Helen resided in Lufkin most of her life and graduated from Central High School in 1960. She was employed at Lufkin State School as a secretary, retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service. She loved playing 42, going camping, fishing, playing dominoes and card games, and travelling with her children and grandchildren. Helen was a faithful member of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son, James Dean and wife Rita of Lufkin; daughters, Angela Dean, Tina Cameron and husband Scott, all of Lufkin; grandchildren, Zachery Dean, Caleb Brewer and wife Aspen, Andrew Brewer and wife Jayde, Riley Brewer, Megan Cameron; great-grandchildren, Bankston Brewer, Emma Stott, Abigail Dixon, Austin Dixon, Ethan Glenn “Dean” Dixon; brother, C.B. Gray and wife Joyce of Bryan/College Station; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. E.L. Gray and Bessie; husband, Glenn Nerren; husband and father of her children, James Harold Dean, Sr.; grandson, Allen Clark, daughter-in-law, Jan Linzy; brother, Kenneth Gray, and niece, Deborah Gray.

Pallbearers will be Zachery Dean, Caleb Brewer, Andrew Brewer, Riley Brewer, Tristen Dixon, and John Perkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Molandes, Charles Jones, and Edgar Rogers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 5632 FM 1818, Diboll, Texas 75941 or Harbor Hospice, 402 S. John Redditt Drive, Suite 203, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

The family would like to express special thanks to Danette Holley, our Harbor Hospice team, and her sitters.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.