LaVelle Haynes, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas at the age of 97. She was born to Effie Lee Philmon Bunn and Joseph Arthur Bunn in Beaumont on December 13, 1925, and resided in Vidor for most of her life until moving to Austin in 2009. She married Clyde Haynes, Jr., her high school sweetheart, during the Second World War and travelled with him across the nation as he served in the United States Army prior to his deployment to the South Pacific. After his return from military service they made their home in Vidor where she was involved in various community activities and active in church. Later, when her husband was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, she lived in Austin during the legislative sessions. LaVelle and Clyde formed many lasting friendships with members of the local delegation and their wives along with other members and wives from around the state.
Many rewarding years were spent at the lake house at Toledo Bend, where she proudly caught an alligator gar worthy of a place on the wall. Later, LaVelle and Clyde enjoyed spending their summers at the house in Angel Fire in the mountains where they enjoyed the local country club and hiking and seeing the majestic sites in and around Northern New Mexico. LaVelle will be remembered for her vigorous spirit, for her love, affection, and dedication to all her family members (and two pet poodles), and, last but not least, her delicious cooking, which took center stage on birthdays and during the holidays. She lived a full and happy life, and she will be dearly missed and always remembered.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Her son, Lanny Haynes, and his wife, Suzanne, of Austin, survive her. Her other survivors include grandsons, Sean Haynes, of Austin, Kevin Haynes, and his wife, Kelly, of Houston, and great grandsons, Alexander Haynes and Henry Haynes, of Houston.
A private funeral service will be held with interment at Williamson Cemetery, Vidor.
To honor the memory of LaVelle Haynes, memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, 350 North Main Street, Vidor, Texas 77662, or to a charity of your choice.