Susie Mae Wideman Stansel

A Celebration of Life service for Susie Mae (Wideman) Stansel, 90, of Lufkin, will be held at 3:30 Monday, April 28, 2014 at Gipson Funeral Home, led by her son, Harold Stansel. She will be buried beside her loving husband in the Whitehouse Cemetery in Lufkin.

Mrs. Stansel was born October 12, 1923 in Manning, Texas, the daughter of the late William and Nancy Wideman. She passed away April 25, 2014.

As a teenager, she worked at Atkinson Candy Company, but when she married Eugene Stansel, Sr. on February 1, 1941, she became a homemaker. She was a member of Herty Baptist Church and was a lifelong resident of Lufkin.

Mae was a devoted wife and mother. Family and friends were very important to her. She was always sweet, thoughtful, caring to others, enjoyed family gatherings, and telling stories about those important to her. She encouraged her children to get an education, become Christians, and do well in life. And, she was most proud of her family and their accomplishments.

In addition to her parents, Mae was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Eugene Stansel, Sr.; brothers, Hubert and Burton Wideman.

Mae is survived by four daughters and their spouses, Drs. Nancy Ann and Fred Thornberry of The Woodlands and College Station, Joan Patricia and Edward Vaughn of Nacogdoches, Linda Sue and Gandy Oliver of Lufkin, and Elaine and Bob Young of Lufkin; son, Eugene Harold Stansel, Jr., of Lufkin; grandchildren and their spouses, Molly and Thad Whisenant, Michelle and Gordy Bunch of The Woodlands, Susan and Jeff Cavanaugh of Houston, Eric and Dr. Sharon Young of Rosenburg and Craig Young of Lufkin. She also leaves 10 great-grandchildren, Connor, Carson, Colton and Cooper Whisenant, Greg, Riley and Jake Bunch, Alyssa Cavanaugh, and Joe and Josh Young.

Pallbearers will be Eric Young, Joe Young, Josh Young, Jeff Cavanaugh, Gordy Bunch and Thad Whisenant.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Hospice in the Pines in Lufkin for the wonderful care and love expressed to Mae and the family during her short stay and final days at the hospice facility. A special thank you is also extended to Angelia Young for her care and kindness to Mae as a caregiver.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday prior to the service at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home