Camille (Yount) Cawley

          Graveside services for Camille (Yount) Cawley, 85, of Lufkin, will be held Monday, April 22, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, Texas, with Steve Fong and Cliff Cawley officiating.

          Camille was born on February 12, 1939, in Beaumont, Texas, and passed away on  Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Lufkin. A native Texan and resident of Lufkin, she was known for her gracious manner and elegant approach to everyday living. In her lifetime, she lived in many different homes, and in adulthood, each home served as a haven for siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren -anyone needing a space to regroup, reassess, or rebuild a life.

          Mrs. Cawley was the daughter of the late Reverend Hubert Yount and the acclaimed artist Ruby Smitherman Yount, known as “Granny Yount”. Her upbringing in the parsonage, with much-loved and respected parents, formed the foundation for her exquisite taste and style. Camille was comfortable in every setting, country, and with everyone from every walk of life or station. In the early years of her marriage to Dr. Allen Ahlschier, Camille developed those traits further in his service as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force. Their first home was an apartment in the Lafitte Guest House in New Orleans, where she was the manager and also worked as a Merle Norman trainer for those opening their own shop. While traveling and living in many parts of the world, it was during her years in England that she was able to assemble a small, perfectly curated collection of art and antiques, which created unique décor for each of her beautiful homes. During those military years, she was an iconic officer’s wife. She modeled the traits most highly regarded and expected to bring her grace and poise to every project, event, or occasion. Entertaining and volunteering were second nature to her. Wherever she has been, connections remain from every one of those places. Her abilities and accomplishments were many.

           Camille began her entrepreneurial activities at an early age. As a child in first grade, she loved to fill her red wagon with clothing and household goods from her mother and the neighbor ladies to sell up and down the streets of her small community. That mobile store was the precursor for the popular yard and garage sales today. The same spirit enabled her to be the behind-the-scenes on-site project manager for a medical building in New Orleans.

           Many years later Camille saw her childhood sweetheart, Don Cawley, at a class reunion. Camille and Don, the love of her life, were married on April 30, 1996. They were joined in love with their wonderful children, Cliff, Donna, Carmen, Rebecca, Angela, and Ericha. During their time together, Camille seamlessly blended her new family and referred to them as her “six good kids” from that time forward. In a very short time, the Cawley children also fell in love with her and remained so for a lifetime.

          Camille completed one last project renovation for one of the last original rock houses on the Blanco River in Wimberly, Texas. This was done while on site, living in the garage, and sleeping on a cot to monitor the project from start to finish.

          Upon losing her beloved Don, Camille moved to Lufkin to be close to family in the area and made another group of friends. She has strongly supported the Museum of East Texas and other community interests. We have truly lost a treasure among us!

          She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Cliff and Karen Cawley; daughter, Donna Erickson; daughter and son-in-law, Carmen and Steve Fong; daughter, Rebecca Cawley; daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Robert Berry; daughter and son-in-law, Ericha and Karl Kemm; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Billye Raye Lipscomb, and Dawn Ellis; brother, David Yount; treasured friends, Charlotte and Dale Anderson; along with other family members and friends.

         Camille was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wesley Don Cawley; sister, Kathleen Yount Lenamon; brother, John Yount; brother-in-law, David Ellis; brother-in-law, Travis Lipscomb; and nephew, Andrew Ellis.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Ave., Lufkin, Texas 75904 or to the Museum of East Texas, 503 N. 2nd St., Lufkin, Texas 75901.

          Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2024, at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.

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