Willa “B” Soma

Funeral services for Willa “B” Soma, 94, of Lufkin, Texas will be held June 5 at 3 p.m. at the Elwyn M. Gipson Memorial Chapel in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park in Lufkin, Texas with Harold Hancock and Pat Jones officiating, with interment following the services.

         Mrs. Soma was born March 16, 1922, in Russellville to the late William Bryce Hawkins and Katherine (Riddle) Hawkins, and passed away June 3 in Lufkin.

         Mrs. Soma had resided in Lufkin for 26 years. She resided in Russellville for 45 years and moved to Malvern, Arkansas in 1967, where she was a librarian at the Hot Spring County Library. Mrs. Soma was an avid reader. She was an active member of the Heart Tracker organization in the 1990s. Mrs. Soma was a member of Timberland Drive Church of Christ.

         Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Marlyn Soma of Lufkin; granddaughters, Leslie Rayburn and husband Steven and Lori Bennett and husband Stephen, all of Lufkin; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Rayburn, Ryan Rayburn, Kyle Rayburn, Abby Bennett and Wesley Bennett, all of Lufkin.

         She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard Alroy Soma; and one brother.

         Pallbearers will be Steven Rayburn, Stephen Bennett, Monte Ramsey, Tyler Rayburn, Ryan Rayburn, Kyle Rayburn and Wesley Bennett.

         Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or Kurth Memorial Library, 706 S. Raguet Street, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

         The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the services.