Elva Ethylene Watkins

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family of Elva Lyles Haman (Watkins), age 90, announces her passing on Saturday, March 29, 2025. She was born on October 28, 1934 to Dempsey and Rose Mae Lyles. Her Visitation and Memorial will be held on Thursday, April 10th, from 4:00 until 9:00 PM in the Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff Chapel, with a prayer service scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Elva was born and raised in Lake Charles and attended Marion Elementary and High School. She met Christian Thomas Haman who was stationed at Chennault Air Base with the United States Air Force, and they were married on April 04, 1951. Together they raised their four children, Christine (David) Woods, Guy Carroll Haman, Russell (Cindy) Haman and Bill (Karen) Haman. After the tragic loss of her husband in July 1977, she earned her GED, attended Sowela Technical College and begin her career as an LPN. She worked at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital and eventually became a dialysis nurse at St. Patrick Hospital for many years. She met and married Robert Watkins and moved to Colorado where they enjoyed many years of square dancing together. They moved to Toledo Bend, living there until his death. At that time she moved back to Moss Bluff to be near her children and grandchildren.

She was a member, along with her family, of Bethel Baptist Church in Lake Charles where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also very active along with her husband in the Children's Ministry. She lived her life as a Christian woman with the ability to smile through all her hardships and was always available for advice and hugs.

Her love of traveling took her to many places, and she was always ready when you said, "Let's go." She had many names, including "Mom," "Nanny," "Ms. Red" or Elva, but her favorite was Nanny. The time she was able to share with her precious "Grands and Great Grands" was priceless and treasured. There were many interesting conversations, and a lot of love shared.

She is survived by three of her children, Christine, Russell and Bill, her grandchildren, Tim (Jordan) Haman, Thomas Haman and Annaliese Haman and her great grandchildren, Isabelle Haman, Hayden Haman, Max Haman, and Luke Haman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Johnny Lyles and sister-in-law Irene, her sister Thelma Lyles Coleman and brother-in-law Rayburn, her husbands Christian Thomas Haman and Robert Watkins and her son Guy Haman.

Elva was a resident of Sage Oaks Assisted Living, and we are so grateful for the love and care she received. They all became a part of our family, and we will cherish the memories we had with them.

In lieu of flowers she would love for you to consider a donation to: St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana

https://autismservicesswla.com/ or 3006 Common Street Lake Charles LA 70601.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.