Marjorie Minshew

Marjorie Maree Minshew age 94, of Meridian, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016 in a Meridian nursing facility.

Funeral services will be 12 noon, Wednesday, November 23, 2016 in the Lawson Funeral Home Chapel in Meridian with Rev. Ken Parlin officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at Lawson Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Kopperl Cemetery in Kopperl, Texas.

Marjorie Havens was born on May 12, 1922 in Hico, Texas to Earl J. and Juanita Washam Havens. She graduated from high school in the spring of 1940. She resided in Oak Cliff in her early years. After graduating high school she worked at North American Aviation during WW II. Later she started working for an oil well supply company as a personal secretary. She later went to work at Oak Cliff Bank and Trust (now Bank of America) as a receptionist in the Safe Deposits department. Marjorie retired in January 1979 after almost 23 years of service. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women Organization and involved in other business, church and social activities. After 22 years at the bank she retired and moved with her husband, Vernon, to Lakeside Village, Bosque County to enjoy country living. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, painting, and her church.

She was of Baptist faith and started working with little children in her teens as a beginner of children. Later she was a coordinator of beginners teachers and director of beginners children's choirs. She loved music and always sang in both school and church choirs as a soloist and later joining her husband Vernon as they sang duets.

In 1998 they took another retirement, sold their home in the country, and moved to Saint Frances Village Retirement Community in Crowley, Texas. She and husband Vernon attended the little Protestant Chapel in the Village and continued to witness the love of God singing. The first song they ever sang as a duet was "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus" which became a favorite.

Through their love of music they began to attend gospel concerts with friends in the village which was not only an enjoyment but such a blessing and also enriched their later years as they worshiped through music.

She had many friends and tried to keep in touch with those she made in school, work, and former churches where she attended. She kept in touch with the men and wives of the Bosque Mens Singers where Vernon had been a charter member. The group became like family. Marge, Vernon, and Paula always sang in church choirs from the time Paula was old enough to be in the Sanctuary Choir.

Marge and Vernon were so very proud of their daughter Paula. She and Paula were not just mother and daughter but friends who enjoyed being together and sharing together. Paula also inherited her love of music and excelled as she chose to use her talent for christian music singing in choirs, cantatas, and solo work praising God with her talents. Paula's husband always supported her in her music endeavors which was so appreciated by Paula's parents.

And then Aaron, their grandson, comes along. So special and so wanted. That funny, hard to understand, lovable, difficult to know, curly haired grandson. Now he is married to a sweet little lady and there are three beautiful little great-grandchildren. We have fallen in love with them all.

(This biography was written by Marjorie Minshew)

She is survived by her daughter, Paula Doll and husband, Richard, of Kodak, Tennessee; grandson, Aaron Doll of Kodak, Tennessee; great-grandsons, Aaron Eli Doll, Jacob Edward Doll, and Kyeus Doll all of Kodak, Tennessee; great-granddaughter, Taylor Alexis Doll of Kodak, Tennessee; nephew, Mike Haven and wife, Ursula, of Irving; niece, Teri Chupp of Chicago, Illinois; great-nephew, Josh Havens of Austin, Texas; great-niece, Lauren Winston of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law, Marceline Havens of Bedford.

Preceded in death by her husband, Vernon E. Minshew; father, Earl H. Havens; mother, Juanita Washam Havens; and brother, Earl J. Havens.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements were made by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.