Jill Culwell Amend

Memorial services for Jill Culwell Amend, 73, of Lufkin will be held Monday, October 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Warren Culwell officiating. A reception will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Crown Colony Country Club. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Jill Culwell Amend was born on July 11, 1952, in Pampa, Texas, to Lena Belle Koch Culwell Denman and Warren Dale Culwell. In 1953, the family moved to Lufkin, where Jill grew up alongside her beloved older sister and younger brother. As the middle child, she shared a special bond with both, always protective and tenderhearted—even crying whenever her little brother was disciplined!

Jill attended Trout Elementary, Junior High West, and graduated from Lufkin High School in 1970. She went on to earn her degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1974. That same year, she married Denton Amend, and together they built a life in Houston/Spring, raising three children—two sons and a daughter. Jill began a long and impactful teaching career, quickly becoming a favorite among her students, many of whom stayed connected with her and later introduced their own children to “Mrs. Amend.”

Known as the “mother of the neighborhood,” Jill had a gift for welcoming others with warmth, kindness, and plenty of home-cooked meals. Her home was always open - filled with laughter, homemade pies that rivaled those of her mother and grandmother, and the joy of family and friends gathered around the table. Summers often meant cousins and family filling the house, and Jill always delighted in making her house a place where everyone felt at home.

Beyond her role as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Jill cherished her friendships. She loved game days, book clubs, and teacher luncheons, many of which continued long after her retirement. Some of her happiest moments were spent traveling with her children and grandchildren or cheering them on from the sidelines of ballparks, courts, and fields.

In 2017, Jill was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (a progressive form of Parkinson’s Disease). She faced her illness with courage, humor, and unwavering faith, continuing to bring joy to those around her. Even after moving to PineCrest Retirement Community in 2023, she maintained her cheerful spirit, her quick wit, and her gratitude for the many friends who visited and surrounded her with love. On September 28, 2025, Jill was lovingly called to her eternal home. Her unwavering faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, was the foundation of her life, guiding her with grace, joy, and strength through every season.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, Florence and V.G. Koch of Lufkin, and Ben and Mamie Culwell of Dallas. She is lovingly remembered as “GiGi” by her family: sons Preston Amend (wife Toni, children Kate and Carter of Lufkin), Phillip Amend (wife Erin, children Addison, Parker, and Andi of Spring), daughter Aryn Guillory (husband Jacob, children Ford and Webb of Lufkin); sister Cathy Todd (husband Meb of Lufkin); brother Warren Culwell (wife Barbara of Austin); nephews Christopher, Clark, and Jay Todd; nieces Lauren Claire Culwell and Rachel Buchanan. She also leaves behind the extended Amend, Culwell, and Koch families.

The family is deeply grateful for Jill’s primary caregiver, Maria Garcia, who lovingly served as part of the family for more than 35 years. The family is also forever thankful for the many extended caregivers who supported Jill in both Houston and Lufkin, as well as the devoted nurses, staff, and companions at PineCrest, all of whom cared for her with unwavering kindness and compassion.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

PineCrest Community “Employee Appreciation Fund” 1302 Tom Temple, Lufkin, TX 75904

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.