The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Lessie Mayes Sterns, born June 23, 1913, In Urania, La, to Wesley S. Mayes and Dora Vee Hatten, passed away June 25, at the age of 103 years old.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 29, at 2:00 PM, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be the Rev. Kenneth Lewis of Moro, Ill, assisted by J. D. Nezat of Denham Springs, La. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 28, from 5:00-9:00 PM at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Lessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 64 years, Daymon Quincy Sterns; son, Jimmy Ray “Bud” Sterns and her son-in-law, Thomas Downey, Jr. She is also preceded in death by her twin sister, Stella Cash and five brothers, Hoyt Monroe Mayes, Floyd Lee Mayes, Jesse Andrew Mayes, Ovay Hilton Mayes and Jimmy Mayes.

Lessie is survived by her four daughters; Billie Jean Downey and Janice Marie Leonard, both of Bridge City, Betty Jo Voight (James “Pat”) of Nederland and Judy Kaye Escagne (Allen P. Escagne, Jr.) of Groves; 10 grandchildren, Tina Nezat, Nina Birdwell, Nanette Graham, Keith Downey, Allen Escagne, III, April Turner, Shawn Escagne, Christopher Leonard, Melissa Evans and Chrystal Sterns. Mrs. Sterns is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Judy Scrivner, Jeanette Vail, Pam Bodin, Carrie Self and Jada Gentile for their dedication, love and caring support of their mother. To the Southeast Texas Medical Center ER Staff, the fourth floor nursing staff, Dr. K. A. Kaissi, MD and New Century Hospice, a grateful “Thank You” for the comfort and attention given to Mrs. Sterns and her family.

“Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: ‘there are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but YOU surpass them all!’” Proverbs 31:28, 29 NLT