Obituary of Renée Kauffman

Phyllis Renee Castleberry was born March 16, 1956, and, after a courageous struggle with cancer, was called home on August 6, 2021, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was 65. She was predeceased by her infant son James Bryce Kauffman, her parents Avo Willey Castleberry and Charles Herbert Castleberry and her brother Charles Herbert Castleberry Jr. She is survived by her husband Jeff Kauffman of Maracaibo, Venezuela, and their three children, Jennifer Kauffman Hyatt, husband David Hyatt and their two daughters Liv and Millie, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Jeff Kauffman, Jr. of Dallas, Texas; and Jason Kauffman of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by three sisters, Joyce Castleberry Jones of Carollton, Texas, Tressie Castleberry Bardin of College Station, Texas, and Sue Castleberry Dobbs of Rogers, Arkansas, and their children and grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Renee had a sweet, loving, and generous spirit and a strong servant’s heart as she gave herself totally to her husband and their children. Renee met Jeff Kauffman, the only love of her life, when they were both students at North Texas State University where she studied Interior Design. They married at First Baptist Church, Dallas on December 29, 1979. She had a lovely singing voice and sang mostly church solos and at weddings. Jeff played guitar and toured the United States with Up With People. After their children were born, Renee retired from singing and was content to be at home with the children. He was involved with the worship ministry of Lakepointe Church every Saturday and Sunday for 30 years, never taking a day off for a vacation until their granddaughters were born. Renee’s goal in life was to support Jeff in his music and to get the best education possible for her children. Throughout her life, Renee was never one to seek attention for herself but was content to watch as her husband and children met their goals in life. Her greatest joy was to see them succeed as they served God with the wonderful talents that He had given them. Words can never list all the good things she did in this life and they can never say how much she will be missed. Our comfort is in the fact that we will see her again, happy and out of the pain she endured in her last days here with us. The family wishes to thank all those who have helped us to cope with our grief by giving prayer support, companionship, food, and many other acts of kindness. May God bless you all and surround all of us with His peace that truly passes understanding. A memorial service for Renee will be held at Lake Pointe Church Firewheel Thursday, August 19th at 10:30 AM.