Frances Carolyn Fussell

Carolyn graduated from Byrd High School in 1953. She worked for the telephone company and eventually became a secretary for several companies, the last being Lincoln Electric where she held a very important position. Carolyn was a faithful member of the Velva Street Church of Christ that became Midway Church of Christ. On April 1, 1955, at the tender age of 19, she married a twenty-year-old preacher, Wayne Fussell, of Wilson, OK. Wayne was and is an Evangelist, so they traveled all over the United States in gospel meetings. Carolyn was a great help to her husband. She had a great personality, a beautiful singing voice, and a deep commitment to the Lord and His church. In 1958, they moved to Carolyn’s home town of Shreveport, and Wayne worked with the church and conducted gospel meetings. In 1964, they built a new church building on Midway Street, and the name of the church became Midway Church of Christ. In 1965, it became necessary for them to move to Las Vegas, NV to work with a new church that had been established by a former member of the Velva Street church. In addition to building a strong church in Las Vegas, they had the blessed event of the birth of their only son, Wayne Fussell, Jr, who changed their lives for the good. They worked there seven years until they fulfilled their original purpose of returning to Shreveport in 1972 to work with Midway Church of Christ, a work which has continued to this day. Carolyn has always been by Wayne’s side in all of his work. She was his greatest supporter and encourager. She was a true preacher’s wife, who makes sacrifices no one knows about. Carolyn loves people. She would spend much more time at the grocery store than normal because she talked with everyone who would talk with her. She would always tell them that she was a preacher’s wife and invite them to church. Carolyn’s beautiful singing voice has blessed the church’s worship all these years. Carolyn’s life was devoted to rearing her only son. She welcomed his choice of a beautiful bride, and she reveled in the birth of their three sons to whom she dedicated much time and energy. They were the answer to her dreams. Carolyn loves her brother, Jerry Webb, and her sister, Ruby Lynn Capelan, and their families. The Webb family was a joyful family that loved to laugh and be together.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her father and mother and numerous aunts and uncles, her sister-in-law, Carolyn Webb, her brothers-in-law, Paul Oberle and Aubrey Capelan. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Wayne Fussell, her son, Wayne Fussell, Jr and wife Missy, her three grandsons, Zachary Fussell and wife Ansley, Jacob Fussell and wife Isabelle, and Luke Fussell, her brother, Jerry Webb, and her sister, Ruby Lynn Capelan. We are pleased to have Carl Johnson of Ada, OK, a longtime friend of Carolyn to conduct the service. Bobby Cunningham, of the Queensborough Church of Christ, and Marcus Mathis, of Midway Church will assist. Carolyn’s grandsons, Zachary Fussell, Jacob Fussell, and Luke Fussell will be pallbearers, along with Raymond Gaines, Parker Ward, and Chad Caskey. The rest of the men of the church we are asking to be honorary pallbearers. Carolyn will be deeply missed in the home and in the church. But like Abel in the Bible, “She being dead, yet speaketh”. Her influence will live on.

Interment will be in Centuries Memorial Park in a plot given to her by her mother. In lieu of flowers, you can make donations in her name to Midway Church of Christ, 3200 Bert Kouns, Shreveport, LA 71118.