Jimmy Meshell

Jimmy Dalton Meshell passed away peacefully in his home in West Orange, Texas in the early morning hours of October 30, 2023 at the age of 76.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 3, 2023, at First United Pentecostal Church in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Gary Wheeler. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023, at First United Pentecostal Church in Orange.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Olivia, along with his daughter Natalie Pruitt and husband Tim of Orange, Texas; grandsons Chase Slaughter, Micah Pierce, Dorian Pruitt, and Mason Pruitt; his son Lloyd Varnado and wife Maccie of Port Neches, Texas; grandson Dalton Varnado and wife Emily and their children Heidi and Molly; grandson Drake Varnado and granddaughter Averie Varnado; daughter Tami Wallace: grandson Jerod Barnes and Skylar of Orange, Texas: great-granddaughters Jacelynn and Louise; granddaughters Randi and Kelli Wallace; siblings Sandy Alexander, Alvin Meshell, and Janet Meshell along with other family and friends including many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Steve and Dorothy Meshell of Starks, Louisiana and sister Carol Contreras.

Jimmy was born on May 1, 1947 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Steve and Dorothy Meshell. He had a artistic spirit and was always finding ways to create new and beautiful things. Jimmy’s creativity also encompassed music and he played electric, acoustic, bass and steel guitar at his church, on recordings and for personal pleasure. Jimmy worked as a law enforcement officer in different capacities over the years before receiving his degree in nursing at Lamar University in 1993 at the age of 46 and shifting to a career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Whether working in construction, law enforcement or medicine, Jimmy had a heart to serve and care for others. He never met a stranger and had a special gift for making everyone he met feel like a friend.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jerod Barnes, Micah Pierce, Mason Pruitt, Dorian Pruitt, Dalton Varnado, Drake Varnado, Clint Schneider, and James Smith.

The family would like to extend a personal thank you to Sandy Avant & Darwin Henson for all the love and support that you have shown Jimmy over the last few months. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Joanne, Loran, and Sharon along with all the excellent Gentiva Hospice Care staff for your tireless care and commitment. We appreciate you all so much!