Jean Byars

          Memorial services for Jean Byars, 77, of Lufkin, will be held Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Shafer Funeral Home in Lufkin with Bro. Ty Phillips officiating.

          Ms. Byars was born on March 2, 1948, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Eugene Woodruff and Elizabeth Loraine (Lindsay) Willson, and died Thursday, March 6, 2025, at her residence.

         Ms. Byars worked as the kitchen manager for Hudson school and drove all over Angelina County and some of Nacogdoches County in Ernie’s Ice Cream Truck for many years. While working for Ernie’s Ice Cream Truck she would go anywhere trying to find people that normally wouldn’t get a chance to buy ice cream, even getting robbed more than once didn’t slow her down, she was determined to spread ice cream and joy wherever she could. Ms. Byars also spent some time working in the cafeteria at Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed playing slot machines and a good game of bingo. Ms. Byars loved her soap operas, especially General Hospital. She was well known for showing Gods love to others by being a taxi driver for doctor’s appointments, groceries, errands, and wherever else you might need to go she was the one to take you. It didn’t matter if you were a stranger, church family, or friend if you needed a ride Ms. Byars was always there. She would sit with the elderly members of Lotus Lane Baptist and help them with anything that they might need. Anyone that knew her for very long automatically became family. She was labeled Sis, Aunt Jean, Momma Jean, Grandma Jean by so many. She accepted everyone no matter what their circumstances, if she could help in any way or just be a comforting hug and support that’s what she would do. Ms. Byars was an amazing prayer warrior if she couldn’t physically help you she was most definitely going to pray for you.      

          She is survived by her son, Robert Dale Byars II of Hudson; daughter and daughter-in-law, Lora Lyn Byars and Katie Mewborn of Hudson; grandson, Micheal Conner Byars of Hudson; and brother and sister-in-law, Frank M. and Chantel Willson of Diboll; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

          She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Cindy Jean Byars; sister, Helen Neal; brothers, Jack Willson and Johnny Willson; and brother-in-law, Donnie Neal.

          Special memorials may be made to the East Texas Patriot Guard Riders, PO Box 46, Kilgore, Texas 75633.

          Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.