Doris Elaine Carlisle

Doris Elaine Carlisle, 90, of Rusk, passed away November 15, 2025 at home with family. 

She was born August 28, 1935, in Glenmora, Louisiana to Jessie Rambo Hudgens and Frederick G. Hudgens. Doris graduated salutatorian from Glenmora High School in 1954, after which she moved to Galveston, TX in pursuit of work. After first meeting at a Halloween party, she married Travis Edward Carlisle on June 14, 1957, in LeMarque, TX. She worked initially at American National in Galveston before deciding to be a stay-at-home mother to their two children until 1976, when she went back to work at Nunn Electric. She worked there as accounts receivable and retired in 1990 as office manager. Texas City, TX was home to Doris and her family for almost three decades, during which she mastered the art of fishing, crabbing, and bowling. Following retirement, amidst a few more residential moves, both Doris and Travis spent their time traveling (road trips to Colorado were her favorite!) and enjoying as much time as possible with their grandchildren. 

Doris is survived by son: Gary Carlisle of Santa Fe, TX; daughter: Sandra Melton of Rusk; grandchildren: Nick Melton and wife Stephanie of Big Sandy, TX, Elle Melton and partner Gabriel of Arlington, VA, and Annie Melton of Rusk, TX; great-granddaughter: Joanna Ruth Melton of Big Sandy, TX; sister: Joy Warren of Conroe, TX; best friend for 70 years: Hilda Hahn of Corpus Christi, TX. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 67 years: Travis Carlisle; parents: Jessie and Frederick Hudgens; brothers: Donald Hudgens, C.W. Hudgens, Fred Hudgens, Jr., Jerry Lynn Hudgens, Herbert Harold Hudgens, Billy Ray Hudgens, and Tommy Hudgens. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Rusk, TX and officiated by Bro. Lee Flowers. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. also on Friday, November 21, 2025, before the funeral service. The graveside burial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Narraway Cemetery in Angelina County. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Carlisle, Nick Melton, Grant Hudgens, Josh Hudgens, Jesse Bolen, and Gabriel Villanueva. 

The family would like to say a heartfelt “Thank You” to Dr. Feng Li of Tyler for his kind, compassionate, and attentive care which gave us ten additional years with our beloved Doris.