Nelda (Graves) Doyen

            Nelda Doyen passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on February 9, 2025 at the age of 86.  Nelda was born May 1, 1938 in Silsbee, Texas to B.W. and Essie (Drake) Graves.  Nelda graduated from Silsbee High School in 1956 and then attended the x-ray technician school at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.  While attending x-ray school, Nelda met George Doyen and there began a 60-year love story.  George and Nelda were married on February 8, 1958 and made their home in Silsbee, Texas from that point forward.

Nelda returned to Lamar University in 1971 to continue the degree plan in elementary education that she had started years earlier.  She graduated summa cum laude in May 1975.  Later that year she was hired by the Silsbee Independent School District and began an almost 30-year career in education. Nelda cherished her students and sought to improve her profession.  She went on to earn a master’s degree in Elementary Education, as well as additional teaching certifications as a Reading Specialist and a Gifted and Talented Specialist.  Nelda was requested to serve the Lamar University Teacher Center, and her involvement there led to the reaccreditation of the Teacher Center in 1986.  She later was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Teacher Center.    Nelda also served as a TECAT Review Course presenter through the University of Texas Division of Continuing Education. 

Nelda also poured into her students.  Her 1997 third graders placed first in Texas and second nationally in the 1997 Toshiba Exploravision National Science Competition for their invention of a microwave lunch kit.  Toward the end of her career, Nelda was recognized as the Walmart Teacher of the Year.

Nelda was a member of the Twentieth Century Literary Club, supported the Christian Care Center, and was a longtime member of Evergreen Assembly of God Church in Silsbee.  While attending Evergreen, Nelda assisted with the children’s and youth ministry, worked in the bus ministry, was the church organist, and spent decades serving as a Sunday School teacher.

For the last 30 years of her life, Nelda was an active member of Journey Community Church in Lumberton.  Nelda truly enjoyed studying the Bible, teaching the Bible, and serving in the intercessors group for the church. She will be fondly remembered for her love of friends and family, traveling, trips to the salon and playing Shanghai Rummy. Nelda will forever remain a loving wife, mother, and “Honey” to her grandchildren.

Nelda is survived by her daughter, Juliana Worsham, and her husband, Daryl; son, Scot Doyen, and his wife Lori; grandchildren, Cody Worsham, and his wife, Beka, Kate Fox, and her husband, Corey, Shelbye Doyen, and her fiance, Ryan Schonken, Michael, Dylan, Jonathan, and Christian Willette, and, Kenneth Minor, and his wife, Tiffney; great grandchildren, Wrenley, Kayla, Patience, Kortney, Olive, and Sarah.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her loving husband of 60 years, George Doyen.

Her family will receive friends on Saturday, February 15, 2025 beginning at 2:00 p.m., with the funeral to follow at 3:00 p.m., at Journey Community Church, 1534 US-96, Lumberton, Texas.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery, Silsbee, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Journey Community Church General Fund.

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