Tena Joy Hussey

Tena Joy Hussey, 65, of El Centro, California, went to her eternal home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 19, 2021. She passed away peacefully in her favorite place, her beach home in Ensenada, Mexico.

Services will be held at Fry and Gibbs Funeral Home in Paris, TX, Friday, July 2, at 10am. Visitation will be from 6-7pm the evening prior, Thursday, July 1.

Tena was born in Paris, Texas, to parents Brice Randel Stephens and Joy Robinson Stephens. She was a country girl at heart. As a girl, she spent her days riding horses (and sometimes bulls), caring for animals, roaming the country side with her best dog, Blacky, and competed on the Honey Grove High School rodeo team in Barrel Racing.

Tena married her long time sweetheart David Hussey on April 7, 1995, and celebrated 26 years of marriage. Some of her favorite pastimes included spending time on the beach in Ensenada with David, hanging out at home with all her grandchildren, and she loved getting her home ready for Christmas time. Tena lived life to the fullest and, most of all, fiercely loved her family.

Tena worked at the Department of Social Services for 31 years. She began her tenure with the County of Imperial on June 13th, 1988, as an Eligibility Worker I, quickly promoted to Social Worker I on August 15, 1988, Social Worker III on October 18, 1991, and Master’s Level Social Worker IV in April 13, 2007, within the Department of Children and Family Services. Tena began her Supervisory career on November 15, 2013, at the Betty Jo McNeece Receiving Home, supporting staff and the facility with the transition of the Receiving Home between County Departments. She was instrumental with the transition of the facility from a 30-day group home, to a 10-day Temporary Shelter Facility. Tena was passionate about the work she did and went above and beyond for the children in her community. Every year during Christmas time, Tena fundraised for a Christmas Toy Drive for all the foster children and children in the probation community to ensure they received presents.

Tena was preceded in death by her parents Brice and Joy Stephens, brother Randel Stephens, and stepmother Mary Goodman. She leaves behind her husband David Hussey; son Matthew Rea and wife Sierra, son Lucas Rea and wife Kristen, daughter Sarah Hussey and husband José, and son Clinton Hussey. Grandchildren, Clarissa Rea, Boden Rea, Blake Rea, Brady Rea, Emerson Wells, Lola Rea, Brice Rea, and Stasia Scheuermann; and Great-grandchild, Severin Rea. Sister Linda Marrs and husband David, nephews Heath, J. Todd, and Neal; sister-in-law Rickie Stephens, nephew Cody Stephens, and niece Rancie Bernal; step siblings Bob Burris and Lou Anne Burris; mother-in-law Julia Hussey; uncle Dugan Robinson, aunt Helen Robinson, and cousins Jill Deen and Joe Robinson.

Local arrangements in California were with Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary. 

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