Narvis Christine Mencey, 85, of Stowell, died Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at Beaumont Health Care Center. She was born on October 1, 1927, in Madisonville, to Lular Mae Westbrooks and Tommia Malone.

Narvis attended school in Madison County and graduated from the 11th grade from Madison Training High in 1945, and later graduated from Beaumont Adult Education Cooperative with her GED in 1985. She also studied Child Care Technology at Lamar Technical College in Beaumont.

In January 1946, she came to Stowell to take care of her sister, Clora Ann, who was pregnant with Mattie Dean, the first black child to be born in Stowell and who now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Narvis met her future husband, Milton Mencey in 1946, and they were married in September 1947. She joined St. James United Methodist Church in 1947, and she has also attended St. Paul United Methodist Church. Before Narvis and Milton had children of their own, Narvis’ nieces, Lela Ruth Malone Cheatham and Jessie Malone Duckett, lived with them while attending school in Anahuac. She enjoyed cooking, reading, working puzzles, quilting, sewing by hand, and canning.

She leaves to mourn her; children, Hilda Faye, Helen, and Harvey Mencey; brothers, Frank Malone of Dallas and Joseph Malone of Reno, Nevada; sisters, Roberta Bridges of Chandler, Arizona; and Mary Carter and Jessie Duckett, both of Dallas; several grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous family members and friends. Narvis is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Hazel Lena; sisters, Elvessie, Clora Ann, Bettie Ruth, and Truly; and brothers, T.P., Willie, and Sam.

A gathering of Mrs. Mencey’s family and friends will be from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2013, with her funeral service at 10:00 a.m., at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.