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by SHARON ROLLINS

On Saturday, June 8, the Lord called his faithful servant, Gwendolyn Louise Davis Scogin of Henderson, to her home in heaven. Her family was honored to care for her at her home until her death.

Scogin

On August 20, 1934, Gwendolyn was born in a country home in Hope, Texas, the third of eleven children of Lavoir Edgar Davis and Madeline Elsie Louise Buss Davis. Her Aunt Ruby Davis, who was a nurse, delivered her before the doctor arrived.

As a young girl, Gwen enjoyed living in the small town of Yoakum, where many of her father’s family also lived. She lived next door to her Grandma Davis, and she and her sister Melba lo ved to spend the night with her. One of her favorite activities was climbing the huge oak tree in her own back yard. (In 2004, she and her daughters traveled to her “old stomping grounds” and Gwen was delighted to find that her old home and the huge oak tree were still there.) When she was 14 years old, she would pick cotton to earn spending money. She remembered dragging the heavy sacks in the heat, thankful that she did not have to work like that all the time.

When Gwen attended school in Rio Grande City, she was allowed to skip a grade because she was such a good student. When the family moved to Houston, however, she was told that was against their policy and she was put back a grade. She graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston in 1952 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She also attended business college in Houston.

One evening in 1953 she was waiting for a date to pick her up for a church service when her brother John brought home a co-worker, Charles Scogin. A few months later, the two met at the courthouse in Houston on their lunch break and were married on May 18, 1953. Charlie went to heaven in March 2013, shortly before their sixtieth anniversary.

When she was growing up, Gwen attended Lutheran and Baptist churches where she learned that Jesus loved her. After her husband was saved, they were both baptized at Tidwell Road Baptist Church in Houston.

Gwen and her husband Charlie had six children. They were diligent to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. When each of her children was born she prayed that God would help her to raise them in the right way to love God. There was never any question in the Scogin home where they would be on Sundays.

She loved children and even though she had her first three babies in 3 ½ years, she still found time to volunteer at an orphanage in Houston when her kids were young.

Gwen was the ultimate multi-tasker. In an unairconditioned house, in the Houston heat, she could fry chicken, listen to one child recite Bible verses, show another child how to correct a math problem, tend to a crying baby, fold a load of laundry, and run off a stray dog, all at the same time.

Her family was blessed to have such a devoted mother and grandmother. Everyone loved her and knew that she loved them. She was always willing to put her plans aside to babysit a grandchild, great-grandchild or foster child. She attended countless school activities and sporting events in a span of more than 50 years.

Gwen began teaching children’s Sunday school classes in the l960s and was still a teacher up until October 2009 when she suffered a heart attack and stroke. Although she taught several different ages, she preferred the fidgety two-, three-, and four-year-olds. She loved the kids in her class and wanted to instill in them a love for the Lord. She has influenced numerous children throughout the years.

In 1998 Gwen was honored by West Main Baptist Church as the most influential woman in the church. Even though she was never a member there, four of her children and their families comprised a large portion of the congregation at that time. A few years later, Southside Baptist Church, where she was a member honored her for her many years of service to the Lord working in the church nursery and toddlers Sunday School class. At the time of her death she was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Henderson, where she had been a Sunday School teacher.

Gwen is survived by her six children, 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren: Linda Burks of Henderson and her children Davy and Jessica Burks of Henderson and Michael and Nathan; Tasha Fraser of Henderson and Bryan, Jonathan Dylan, Olivia and Joel; Dalin and Mercedes Burks of Henderson and Hayle and Evan; A1C Jonathan (stationed in Germany) and Andie Burks of Henderson and Karson. Sharon and Mike Rollins of Henderson and their children Kelli and Ben Hays of Houston and Landon, Allison, Evaleigh and Canaan; Bradley Rollins of San Marcos; Lindsey and Alan Aten of Henderson and Anderson and Vera; and Caleb Rollins of Henderson. Mark Scogin of Ridgeway, SC and his children Nola Janelle and Eric Hardaway of Denver, CO and Madeline; Nina Scogin of Easley, SC; Niki Scogin of Columbia, SC; and Ryan Scogin of Simpsonville, SC. Debbie and Gene Kelsey of Henderson and her children Jason Newton of Henderson and Trentyn; and Rachel and Andrew Baxley of El Paso. Esther and David Bunn of Henderson and their son Mitchell. Stephen and Holly Scogin of College Station and their children Peyton and Emily.

Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Scogin; her parents; sisters Earline Davis and Wanda Davis; and brothers John Davis and his wife Audie Davis, and Glenn Davis.

She is survived by sisters Melba and James Snedecor of Matagorda; Mary and Ron Audas of Henderson; Dianna Davis of Houston, Susan Davis of Austin and Sandra Davis of Houston. Her surviving brother is Grady and Kay Davis of Sugar Land, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Also preceding her in death were her father-in-law Murphy Scogin; mother-in-law Nola Scogin; step mother-in-law Alice Scogin; brothers-in-law, Ray Scogin, Vernon (Bud) Scogin, James Edell Scogin, George Hubert Scogin, Murphy Scogin, Jr.; and sister-in-law Artie Scogin McGuire.

Surviving sisters-in-law include Annie Scogin of Amarillo, Ruby Scogin and Carol Scogin, both of Henderson.

Gwen was clothed in humility with a gentle and quiet spirit. She was a selfless encourager, a Godly mother, and a role model for her family. She leaves behind many wonderful memories for her family. Although they will miss her very much, they are comforted to know that she is with the Lord.

Funeral services were 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, at Rader Funeral Home in Henderson. A graveside service followed at the New Salem Cemetery.