Jerry C. Fenley

Services for Jerry C. Fenley will be held on Saturday, July 20,2024 11 o’clock a.m. in the Reich Chandler Great Hall at First Baptist Church Lufkin at 106 E. Bremond St., Lufkin, Texas.

Finally free and already home, Jerry died on Sunday evening, July 14, 2024. She was born to Gene and Jewell Chastain on January 3, 1934 in Lufkin and married Curtis W. (Bill) Fenley, Jr. on May 29,1955 in Lufkin. Jerry’s life was defined by her passions. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in music performance, taught elementary school music, sang in the choir at First Baptist and was a regular soloist at church. She instilled in her children a deep appreciation for all varieties of music – countless voice and piano lessons, community concerts, Broadway musicals and other performances. Jerry loved arts of all sorts – her painting studio, her photography studio, her arts and crafting studio, her scrap book studio and her quilting closet. She loved the outdoors and spent hours each day, as long as her health allowed, caring for her flowerbed, her rain barrel watering system and garden. She was a Master Gardener and loved her gardening family.

Jerry was an aggregator. She never met a stray or rescue dog or cat that she was unwilling to adopt. She welcomed every friend of her children and every new, young or old acquaintance, as a member of the family. She was the ringleader of every mischief of the Now Generation Mission Trips and hosted nearly every youth and young adult fellowship of the church.

However, her family was her greatest passion. Her life with Bill and the kids was filled with adventures – backpacking the Appalachian Trail and Pecos Wilderness, Winnebago trips across the southwest, skiing the Rockies and visiting historical landmarks.  She poured her life into her family and, as Bill’s medical issues progressed, was a devoted caregiver. A bundle of constant energy, her legacy will always be her curiosity in all things.

Jerry is survived by her children, Curtis “Curt” W. Fenley, III and wife, Jule, of Lufkin; Leslie Hicks of Waco; and Carol Gilbert of Longview; her grandchildren, William Graydon Hicks, Benjamin Gilbert, Anne Fenley-Miezoso and husband Michael, Nate Hicks, William Fenley and wife Ana, Alex Gilbert, Mary Margaret Fenley, Eli Gilbert and Emily Hicks; two great- grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill, and her parents.

A reception with the family will be held immediately following the celebration service in the Great Hall.

A special thank you to the caregivers of Havencare Nursing Home in Longview and Agis Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request consideration of donations to the First Baptist Church Organ Restoration Fund, 106 E. Bremond, Lufkin Texas 75901 or the Angelina County Master Gardeners Volunteers, 2201 Medford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.