Shirley Jean (Cotton) Lunsford-Ruthven

Funeral services for Shirley Jean Lunsford, 87, of Garrison, will be held at 11:00am on Friday, August 29, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Garrison. Interment will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00am on Friday, August 29, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Garrison. 

Shirley Jean Lunsford Ruthven was born October 19, 1937 in New Waverly, Texas. She passed peacefully at the age of 87 on August 23, 2025, in Garrison, Texas.  Shirley was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord and loved her family and her church. She attended Conroe High School and she and her sister Vera rode the Greyhound bus to and from school each day.  However, this did not stop her from graduating as the Conroe High School Class of 1955 Valedictorian.  Shirley met Darrell Sr. while working at the Goodyear Tire Store in Bellaire, Texas.  They were married in 1962 and later had two children, Darrell Lunsford, Jr and Diana Pinkston.

Darrell and Shirley moved to Garrison, TX in 1974 and opened Lunsford’s Auto Supply and Garage.  Darrell operated the shop and Shirley made sure all administrative duties were handled for the store.  They grew the business for the next 18 years, while Darrell Sr. also served as Nacogdoches County Constable, Pct. 3.  Shirley loved to play the piano and you could always hear her beautiful voice singing in the church choir.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Darrell E. Lunsford, Sr, and second husband, Hugh Ruthven; parents Harvey L. Cotton and Clarreed Chandler; brother, Harvey Cotton Jr and  brother-in-law, Bobby Acrey.  She is survived by her loving children: Darrell E. Lunsford, Jr and wife Leasa, Diana Jean Pinkston and husband Michael.  Her legacy lives on through her beautiful grandchildren:  Danni Elizabeth Amos and husband Damein;  Austin Brady Lunsford and wife Britianie; Dalton Edward Pinkston and wife Amber;  Chance Collin Lunsford and Mylan Justin Pinkston. Memaw was blessed with great grandchildren:  Dutton and Deuce Amos, Remi Lunsford, Daylor and Eliza Pinkston, Averie, Makinley and Ronald England; brother Eddy Cotton and wife Lisa; sister, Vera Acrey; sister-in-law, Joyce Martin; special cousin, Helen Hammer and numerous nieces and nephews.

Darrell Sr. was one of  the first law enforcement  officers with a video camera installed in his car in the United States and this camera was instrumental in capturing his untimely death.  Shirley made it her mission to help provide the tools necessary to protect other officers in the line of duty. Shirley blazed a path across the country promoting the use of video equipment for patrol cars.  She raised thousands of dollars for camera systems to be installed in law enforcement vehicles.   Shirley was a guest on Oprah, Sally Jessy Raphael and Geraldo and she was a natural in front of the camera.  She never missed an opportunity to promote for the camera and always checked her hair and lipstick first!  She made many lifelong friends and through her dedication to this cause, every law enforcement officer today can work in a safer environment.

Shirley married Hugh Ruthven on Valentine’s Day 1998.  They spent 18 wonderful years attending church together, taking trips, going on cruises and enjoying their friends at the country club.  The grandchildren spent summers in the city with Memaw and Hugh.

Shirley will be remembered as a loving mother and Memaw, someone with a kind heart and a gentle spirit.  She was always dressed to perfection and ready for a trip at a moment’s notice.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association First Responder Processing at https://www.texasdpsoa.com/ or Nacogdoches Hero Foundation at https://nacogdochesherofoundation.org/. 

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