On Tuesday, June 5, 2012, Nelvis L. Hearn passed peaceful to his eternal reward. Nelvis fought a valiant fight against the effects of multiple strokes for the past four years.
Nelvis was born on the family farm in the Latch Community of Upshur County, Texas on October 31, 1934, to Alva M. Hearn and Annie Jane May Hearn. He was the youngest of seven children born to the union. He was proud to be able to trace his lineage back to a Norman Knight Herne who invaded England with William the Conqueror.
After high school graduation, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for 22 years in both the active duty and reserve forces.
In 1956, while stationed at Camp Randall, Wisconsin, Nelvis met and married Mary Bridget Moran. From the first day he called Mary his Queen. They were married for 49 years six months before her death in 2005.
Nelvis also proudly considered himself a Lumberjack since he first came to Nacogdoches in January 1963 to become the purchasing agent for Stephen F. Austin State University. He later became the first internal auditor at SFASU until his retirement in 1998. After a few months he started working for ECI (Equity Corporation International) as their traveling teaching accountant. He went to all of their funeral homes and cemeteries teaching the ECI and later SCI, accounting practices.
Nelvis was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, godfather, son, brother, and uncle. He taught his children love, honor, commitment, and loyalty. He encouraged them to soar and reach for the stars. He was very proud of his children for graduating from college since he had been the first person in his family to be a college graduate.
Nelvis is survived by his daughter, Mary Beth of Nacogdoches; son, James and wife Amy of Denver, Colorado; grandson, Samuel of McAllen, Texas; goddaughter, Bridget Rose of Fairfield, Iowa; honorary goddaughter, Dianne Dunn of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother, Thurman of Gilmer, Texas; sisters-in-law, Kay Bienash and Carol Moran of Wisconsin, and Lucy McMoran of Colorado; and brothers-in-law, Matt and Margaret Moran of Illinois and George MacEwen of Wisconsin. He is also surved by numerous nieces and nephews; special friend, Pat Parklyn of Edmonton, Canada; special caregiver, “Annie Ruth” Beck of Lufkin; and his faithful companion, Abigail.
He was predeceased by his parents, Alva and Annie Hearn; wife, Mary Hearn; brothers, Odell and Herman; and sister, Bonita.
The family wants to thank the staff of Garrison Nursing Home for the love and care they gave Nelvis for the past three years.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012, at Sunset Memorial Park, 5127 North Street in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or Heart to Heart Hospice, 209 Christie Dr., Lufkin, TX 75904.
Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North St. in Nacogdoches. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.
