CHARLES NEWTON LUNSFORD OBITUARY

May 24, 1934 – August 3, 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 by his wife Lee Gayle Payne Lunsford and their four children and families—Susan and husband
Joey Guedea of Fort Worth, their son Jonah and his wife Jamie, and their daughter Afton; son 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 greatgrandchildren—Annie and Libby
Hagen, George and Bobby Carl and Ford and Elle Winston; sister-in-law Billie Sue Payne of Center and 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 and
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.