Cynthia Lenore Deaton

Cynthia Lenore Gayken Deaton (born October 13, 1950), who lived life with a giant exclamation mark, joined a heavenly celebration in her honor on Monday, March 8, 2021. She was ushered into her heavenly rest by a cloud of witnesses who gathered in her backyard to sing and pray for her and were representatives of her many years of ministry and service to God. She loved God, children, and the church. Cynthia was called to ministry early in life but finally had the opportunity to formally exercise her gifts at Manchaca United Methodist Church (MUMC) in Manchaca, Texas, in 1980 when she started the church’s Mother’s Morning Out. Her passion for Jesus and for children only grew from there. She later served as a Christian educator and children’s pastor for many United Methodist Churches including MUMC, First Methodist Church in San Angelo, Bulverde United Methodist Church, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church (San Antonio), First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels, and Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. She led countless vacation Bible schools, children’s camps and retreats, and mission trips. A huge part of her legacy will live on in the hearts of thousands of children and children and families she ministered to over 40+ years. As one special young woman who Cynthia ministered to wrote, “Mrs. Cynthia had a special way in the children’s ministry to always make sure that every kid felt special and loved.” Growing up in a religious tradition that did not encourage women in ministry made Cynthia uniquely attuned to recognizing and affirming the gifts and callings of women in the church. Throughout her years of ministry, she encouraged countless women to pursue their ministry paths and mentored them along the way, especially in serving children and youth. She loved music. Cynthia played the flute in high school and at Pan American University in Edinburg, where she loved marching with the band and also was a twirler. She could hardly contain herself listening to marches at sporting events, parades, and the Fourth of July. She also loved teaching children about Jesus through music. In several ministry settings she was the children’s choir director and produced epic children’s musicals annually. She also loved designing t-shirts for these musicals, which were a festive part of her daily wardrobe. She loved her family. Cynthia met Mark Deaton on their first day of English class at Edinburg High School. They have been together ever since. In January, they celebrated 49 years of marriage. In 1977, they welcomed Taryn Shawn into their family. The family of three relocated to Austin shortly after she was born, and Cynthia loved exploring her new city with her baby daughter. In 1982, Patrice Lenore completed their family. Cynthia greatest accomplishment and source of pride was her daughters, and she made sure her girls knew every single day how much they were loved. In 2010, Cynthia joyfully welcomed Taryn’s husband, Patrick Findlay, into the family. Cynthia was an only child until age 13, when Dawn Patrice Gayken (Caporina) was born. Cynthia adored her little sister and took an active role in helping raise her. When Dawn and husband, Charley, welcomed Deana Maria Caporina 15 years ago, Cynthia treasured being her aunt and travelled frequently to Conroe to attend Deana’s concerts, performances, and to just enjoy time with her. Cynthia’s love was so expansive that many people over the years would consider her their bonus mom. At Bulverde United Methodist Church, Shannon Alfaro quickly became a member of the family and Cynthia considered Shannon her bonus daughter. Shannon and husband, Adrian, gave Cynthia the greatest gift ever in becoming a grandmother (“Cici”) to Breaux Alexander (10), Linkon Kash (7), Jagger Stone (5), and Beckem Kruz (2). She called them “her boys” and delighted in everything they did. They were her greatest joy. Over the years, Cynthia has sacrificially cared for her mother Patsy Gayken. Her cousins Gloria Gene Moore and Sharon Moore O’Toole have always been an important part of her life as has their mother, “Aunt Gloria” Moore. Cynthia became “Cousin Aunt Cynthia” to Sharon’s son Connor O’Toole, and she thought he hung the moon. Over the last decade, Cynthia and Mark renewed a close relationship with Wendell and Lynn Deaton and Pat Staley, Mark’s brother and sister. Cynthia saw these relationships with extended family as a gift and they brought her such joy. There are countless other friends who Cynthia considered to be family. They are simply too numerous to list here and speak to Cynthia’s passion for and investment in people. However, Beth and John Atherton, who Cynthia met when the family moved to Manchaca in 1979, must be mentioned. The Athertons and the Deatons have remained friends for 43 years. She loved God’s creation. Cynthia simply loved being outside and exploring God’s creation. She loved to travel her family. Mostly, she loved to get her hands in the dirt beautifying her own yard and various church grounds. If you needed to know what a particular plant or tree was, all you had to do was ask Cynthia. One of her last perfect days was planting flowers in the backyard at her home and telling Mark and Patrice all about the various surprises they would get throughout the year from bulbs and plants that would bloom. There is an expansiveness to Cynthia’s life and personality that is hard to characterize in words and that can only really be felt. She radiated joy and light. She loved loudly and boldly. She had an infectious laugh, and you could always hear her coming. She never met a stranger and greeted everyone as a friend, with a giant hug and a kiss on the cheek. There is an eternity to Cynthia’s impact on people. She has left a hole in our hearts and lives that will be impossible to fill. But in the example of her life, she has left us clear marching orders. Use your one, precious life to bear fruit. Love each other well. Be light to others. Share the love of Jesus with others. Speak to the good you see in people. Tell people how you see God working in them. The family has been overwhelmed by the love and support shown by those who loved Cynthia. We also know that there is no safe way for everyone who loved her to gather together to celebrate her life at this moment. For now, we will honor her life with a very small memorial service. But, we plan to have a larger celebration of her life in October around her birthday when it is safe to be with one another and greet each other with the hugs that Cynthia so generously gave. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to support the ministry of Bethany Graham, Cynthia’s other daughter and friend, at Children’s Centre Los Niños by making a gift at www.cclntexas.org or mailing a check to P.O. Box 6, Spring Branch, TX 78070. Cynthia would often say, “Let’s go do something fun!!!” So honor her by doing something fun with the ones you love. After such a long, difficult year, we all need it. Matthew 22:36-39: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”