Funeral services for Esma Nancy Jane Haymon
Shankle, 97, of Sunnyvale, Texas, will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Leesville, with Revs. Craig Forkue and Gary Bankston officiating. Burial will follow in the Castor Cemetery, under the direction of Labby
Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 8, and from 9 a.m. until the time of services on Dec. 9 in the funeral home.
Esma Shankle, precious wife, mother, and grandmother, passed into
Lord and Savior’s open arms on Dec. 4, 2013 at the age of 97. Esma was born Oct. 29, 1916. She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life for 68 years, Thomas Shankle, who she married August 22, 1934. Esma is preceded in death by her
parents, Clemie Ryan Haymon and Nancy Ella Haymon; and brothers and sisters, Pearlie Legg, Ethel Bloodsworth, Gossett Haymon, Hazel McKee, Velma Tanner, Hermon Haymon, and Marie McKee.
Esma is survived by her loving daughter, Delores
Thorne and son-in-law Gerald of Sunnyvale, Texas; and beloved granddaughters, Deborah Jane Mulder and Karee Jane Thorne; a precious brother, Norman Haymon; and many loved nieces, nephews and friends.
Esma and her family moved to Texas in
1942. After retirement, Esma and Tom moved to Toledo Bend Village, where they lived for 18 years enjoying the beautiful lake, fishing, and their worship of God at the Toledo Bend Mission. Due to Tom’s illness, they moved to Jasper, Texas, where they
lived for six years. There they attended Hillcrest Baptist Church when his health permitted. In September 2001, they moved to Sunnyvale, Texas to be near their children who loved them so much.
Esma showed her devotion to her Lord and
savior through her service to him. She was seen throughout her life witnessing, visiting the elderly, and those in need, teaching God’s word to children, and showing her love to all her family. Her loving and generous heart will be greatly missed by
those who love her so much. Her presence will be with us forever, and her memory will be passed on with love.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Shankle family at www.labbymemorial.com.