Visitation for Elsie Mae Portis, 83, of Lufkin, will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin, with the funeral service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. in the Shafer Funeral Home Chapel with Mack Dunkin officiating.  Private Interment to follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

          Ms. Portis was born October 19, 1934 in Cherokee County, TX, the daughter of the late Bascom Sherman West and Maudie Lou (Collins) West Pannell, and died Friday, January 19, 2018 in Lufkin.

          Before her retirement, Ms. Portis was employed at the Lufkin State School for 15 years.  She was part of a bowling league and was known to people as “The Bead Lady”.  She enjoyed making fun jewelry from beads and gifting the pieces to her friends and family.  Her friends considered her to be a good and sweet person.  She was always there for her kids.

          She is survived by her son, Gerry Portis and Judy Portis; son, Ronald Dean and Christina Portis of Tennessee Colony, TX; sister, Evelyn Castle of Katy, TX; two grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

          Ms. Portis was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lucille Byrd; brother Minion “Jack” West; and sister, Velma Jo Noel.

          Shafer Funeral Home, directors.

 Service Information