08/07/2024
Charles Newton Lunsford of Spring, Texas, went to be with the Lord on the morning of August 3, 2024 after suffering complications of a stroke at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Charlie Lunsford; brother, Sam and wife Sidna; sister, Betty and husband, Bryan Russ; as well as in-laws, Phabrice and Rex Payne; and brother-in-law, Vance Payne, of Center, Texas.
Chuck, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on May 24, 1934, in Center. He and his beloved wife of 66 years, Lee Gayle Payne Lunsford, devoted their lives to their family, church, country and community.
Chuck grew up in Center and graduated from Center High School in 1951. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1955. He then served in the United States Army until 1957 and married Lee Gayle Payne, also of Center, in 1958. Following work in the private sector, Chuck entered duty with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent in March 1962 where he served in Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Washington, D.C. (at both the field office and FBI headquarters); and Houston before retiring in 1986.
After his retirement from the FBI, Chuck worked in residential real estate in Kingwood with Lee Gayle until 1995 when they retired to their hometown of Center to live in the home in which she grew up. Chuck began work as an agent with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Company and enjoyed that work until retiring for good.
Chuck was active in civic affairs and served on the Center City Council, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as president of the City of Center Street Improvement for Economic Development Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Center Noon Lions Club.
Chuck and Lee were long-time Methodists and were active in the life of each church they attended over the years, with the last two being First Methodist Church in Center and Faithbridge Church in Spring, Texas.
They moved back to the Houston area in 2012 to be near their youngest daughter Mary and her family. They also enjoyed being closer to their beloved beach house at Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula.
Chuck is survived:
Wife, Lee Gayle Payne Lunsford
Four Children and families:
Susan and husband, Joey Guedea of Fort Worth. Their son, Jonah and his wife, Jamie, and their daughter, Afton.
Charlie Lunsford and wife, Libby of Boerne. Their daughters, Claire and husband, Jake Hagen; Mary Kate and husband, Ben Carl; and Caroline and husband, Cinco Winston
Dr. Monty Lunsford currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
Mary and husband, Robbie Thompson of Spring. Their children Jake, Tyler and Gracie.
Six Great-grandchildren:
Annie and Libby Hagen
George and Bobby Carl
Ford and Elle Winston
Sister-in-law, Billie Sue Payne of Center
Many nieces and nephews and their families:
Karan Elliot
Becky Dayoc
Bryan Russ and wife, Laura
Charlie Russ and wife, Mary
Rob Payne and wife, Kim
Angie Payne Walker and husband, Kevin
Josh Payne and wife, Lacie
Mark Lunsford and wife, Leigh
“Daddy Chuck” as he was known to his family, was adored by each one. He had a gift for making each person feel loved, supported and cherished. He has left a legacy of integrity, honor, hard work, laughter, generosity, a love of sports and music as well as an active and abiding faith.
A memorial service to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, August 17, at First Methodist Church in Center with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Services under the direction of Watson & Sons Funeral Home, Center, Texas.
