Florence Vernell Cain, lovingly known as Vernell and affectionately called “Betty” by close friends, was born on September 25, 1928, to Hal Augustus Kimes and Caddie Oliver Kimes in the quiet country of Schwab City, Polk County, Texas. She passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, in Pilot Point, Texas, at the age of 96 years, 10 months and 17 days.

On January 7, 1946, Vernell married the love of her life, Roland Nickson Cain Sr., in a small ceremony at the home of preacher, Brother Cole and his wife near Providence, Texas. Their love story began shortly after World War II, when Roland returned home from serving in the U.S. Army. It was love at first sight— just four weeks after they met at a dance at the VFW Hall in Livingston, they were married. Their whirlwind romance turned into a marriage that spanned 62 years, filled with deep devotion and mutual respect.

Together, they raised a family rooted in faith, hard work and unconditional love. As their family grew, they lived in various parts of the country—including Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and overseas in Holland in the Netherlands—before settling back home in Segno, Texas. Along the way, they raised three children—Roland Jr (Nicky)., Richard (Dicky) and Debra—and built a home filled with music, meals and meaningful conversations.

Before marriage, Vernell trained and worked as a nurse, later becoming a full-time homemaker and rancher. She and Roland owned and operated Triple R Farms, raising cattle and quarter horses in Segno. In 1980, they joined the Cain Insurance Agency with their son Nicky. Vernell played a key role in the agency’s success, earning honors as a top producer and helping lead the business to be named the “Texas Allstate Agency of the Year” in 1982. She was deeply proud of the family’s work ethic and accomplishments, and her professionalism was matched only by her grace.

After Roland’s passing in May 2008, Vernell moved to Pilot Point, to be closer to her son Nicky and daughter- in-law Shirley. She lived independently there for over a decade, enjoying her community, her church (Calvary Baptist) and family until April 2019, when her health began to decline. She spent her final years under the loving care of Cedar Ridge Nursing Care Center, where she remained until her peaceful passing. Vernell was a woman of many talents. She was an extraordinary cook, a thrifty shopper, a skilled gardener, and she could hunt and fish with the best of them. She lived through the Great Depression and carried with her a sense of resourcefulness and resilience that she passed on to future generations. She took pride in filling her freezers with venison and fish, in canning fresh vegetables in her kitchenette off the garage, and in making her home a welcoming place where meals were hearty, faith was central and family gathered often.

Faith was the cornerstone of her life. Vernell was a bold and joyful Christian who shared the gospel freely and lived out her beliefs daily. At Magnolia Hill Baptist Church in Segno, she taught Sunday School, led congregational singing and encouraged her grandchildren to participate in worship by singing “special music.” She often reminded her family that a relationship with Jesus was the most important decision one could make—and her love for Christ shone through in her generosity, her wisdom and her unwavering peace even in later years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roland Cain Sr.; her parents, Hal and Caddie Kimes; her brother, Bobbie Kimes; her sister-in-law, Sandra Kimes; her brother-in-law, Oliver Simpson; and two grandsons, Scott Nickson Cain and Michael Chadwick Velar.

She is survived by her sister, Darlene “Tincey” Simpson of Livingston, Texas, her children: Roland Nickson Cain Jr. “Nicky,” and wife Shirley of Pilot Point; Richard Hal Cain and wife Donna of Moss Hill, Texas; Debra Elene Cain Bailey of Perryville, Arkansas; Her grandchildren: Angie & Mark Tomblin of Livingston, Texas; Ricky & Brenda Cain of Livingston; Shawn Cain of Orange, Texas; Shannon & David Slater of Pilot Point; Steven & Stacey Cowling of Pilot Point; Candace Cain of Cypress, Texas; Brad & Becky Gay of College Station, Texas; Kayce & Wesley Morgan of Moss Hill, Texas; Jeff & Lauren Cowling of Gainesville, Texas.

She also leaves behind 34 great-grandchildren—including Erin, Haven and Mica of the late Scott Cain and Luna and Juliana of the late Michael Velar—23 great-great-grandchildren, and three more on the way, all of whom will grow up hearing stories of her strength, love and faith.

Visitation was held Monday, July 21, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Magnolia Hill Cemetery in Segno. There will be a memorial service in Pilot Point at Calvary Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

Vernell is now reunited with her beloved husband and others who have gone before her. As 2 Corinthians 5:8 reminds us, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Her family rests in the hope that they will one day see her again.