Lunsford, Vashti Houston 

Services for Vashti Houston Lunsford will be Monday, May 1, at noon at Rader 
Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Road in Longview. Mrs. Lunsford went home to be with 
her Lord on April 25, 2006. The family will receive friends 11 a.m.-noon Monday, 
May 1, prior to the funeral. Interment will be in Garden of Memories, Minden, 
La. Mrs. Lunsford was born September 21, 1912, in Sarepta, La., to J.R. and 
Mittie Houston, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her 
husband, W.A. Lunsford; her daughter, Linda Kaye Renz; and her three sisters. 
Mrs. Lunsford was valedictorian of her graduating class at Sarepta High School 
and a business woman for 44 years. She retired from owning and operating 
Lunsford's Downtowner Restaurant in Minden, La., in 1973. She was an active 
member of First Baptist Church in Minden for 44 years, working as a Sunday school 
teacher for high school girls, volunteering in the Family Life Center after 
retiring, and practicing in XYZ in her latter years. After moving to Longview in 
1992, she regularly attended New Beginnings Baptist Church, as long as her health 
permitted. "Mamba," as her grandchildren lovingly called her, will be remembered 
as a godly woman who never had a cross word or criticism for anyone. She was an 
avid reader, doting grandmother and a wonderful cook with the gift of hospitality. 
She was never pretentious and always the ultimate lady in her speech, dress and 
behavior. Vashti was named for a Biblical queen who exemplified strength and 
character under extreme circumstances. Much of Vashti Lunsford's long life mirrored 
those same characteristics. She was widowed almost 40 years ago and suffered a long, 
debilitating disease, but she lived up to her name in every respect. Survivors 
include her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Larry Risinger of Longview; 
granddaughter, Jennifer Risinger of Longview; grandson, Steven Risinger and his 
family, Tammy and Mitchell, of Memphis, Tenn.; granddaughter, Kim Roberson and her 
family, Cade and Jackson, of Katy; granddaughter, Robin McPhail, and her family, 
Thomas, Kayla and Bryce, of Burleson; son-in-law, Jim Renz and his wife, Pam, of 
Haughton, La.; nieces and nephews, Frank and Juanita Slack of Little Rock, Ark., 
George and Dottie Stroud of Spring, Nell and Jack Bice of Lewiston, Idaho, and Sue 
and Gene Sullivan of Cotton Valley, La.; and sisters-in-law, Callie Mae Campbell, 
Daisy Emma Cummings, Douglas Warren, Mary Shrader and Nellie Martin. Officiating at 
the service will be the Rev. Tom Roberson of Oakland Heights Baptist Church in 
Longview, and in absentia, the Rev. Ronnie Laughlin of First Baptist Church in San 
Angelo. Pallbearers will be Steven and Mitchell Risinger, Jim Renz, Cade Roberson, 
Frank Slack, George Stroud, Gene Sullivan and Jack Bice. A memorial guestbook may be 
signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 4/30/2006.