Evelyn Conaway Cousins

Evelyn Conaway Cousins, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother died April 21, 2013 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by friends and family. Evelyn had called Beaumont home since 1948.
Evelyn was born on May 3, 1927 to Docia Wilferd "Winnie" Conaway and James Edgar "Ed" Conaway in Buffalo, Texas. She was valedictorian at Buffalo High School, then attended the University of Texas on full scholarship. In 1948, she married Wilfred Roy "W. R." or "Roy" Cousins, Jr., Texas State Senator for the Beaumont district, local attorney, rancher and businessman.
Evelyn is survived by W. R. "Trey" Cousins III, of Arlington, Texas and his wife Carol Cousins. Their sons and Evelyn's grandsons are Kelly Huffman, and wife Holly Huffman of Arlington Texas and William Randall Cousins IV, and wife Renee Cousins of Dallas. Kelly's family and Evelyn's great grandchildren include Tyler Huffman and Sophia Huffman. Evelyn is also survived by Robert "Bob" Cousins, of Saratoga, California and his wife Ellen Cousins and Evelyn's granddaughter Grace Cousins.
Evelyn was a founding and lifetime member of the Green Thumb Garden Club. She was also a Master flower show judge at the international level winning countless ribbons and awards for her prize cuttings, plants and flower arrangements.
One interest Evelyn shared with her husband was genealogy. They traced their various ancestors back through many generations. She spent countless hours working at home or traveling to find original records. In 1980, she became a member of the George Dashiell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Normangee, Texas, eventually moving her membership to the Beaumont Moffatt DAR where she served as recording secretary and regent from 1990 to 1992. She was also a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Evelyn was a gifted artist who enjoyed painting a wide variety of subjects including still life and portraits. She was also a skilled pianist and accordionist. A number of her special recipes were published in the Beaumont Enterprise.
Evelyn was an active member of Westwood Bible Church for many years. She is preceded in death by her husband Roy Cousins, grandson Travis Cousins, and sisters Bennie Parker and Nellie Ruth Strange.
Evelyn's funeral is Saturday at 2PM at Claybar Funeral Home, 1155 North 11th street in Beaumont followed by a brief graveside interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation at 1PM, before the service. The family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org .