Marie Bylsma

MARIE BYLSMA

Marie Bylsma passed from this life on Sunday evening, February 11, 2024. Marie, 95, was the youngest child of Walter Harrison and Minerva Ann (Murphy) Collins.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Myles Michael Bylsma, and her two older brothers, James Linuel Collins and Lubie Collins.

Her father was a World War I veteran, and her husband and brothers all served together in World War II.

Marie was born in Camp Ruby, Polk County, Texas, on August 31, 1928. After World War II, her brothers introduced her to Myles Michael Bylsma, her future husband. They were married on November 28th, 1945. Marie was widowed in 1974.After her husband passed, Marie moved to Silsbee, Texas. She worked at JC Penny Company in Beaumont, until her retirement. Following her retirement, she was active volunteering in senior living facilities, doing hair and other help for the residents.

Throughout her life she was a faithful Christian and member of the various Southern Baptist churches wherever she lived. Following her retirement and move to Silsbee, she became amemberoftheGenesis Baptist Church. There she was a faithful member of the congregation and a regular attendee at bible study, Sunday school, and church services.

She remained independent and in her home in Silsbee until she had a hip replacement in 2021, at 92 years old. She then moved to her daughter’s home in Canyon Lake, Texas.

She is survived by her children: son, James Michael Bylsma and his wife, Judy, of Selma, Texas; daughter, Kathy Ann Powers and her husband, Bob, of Canyon Lake, Texas; four grandchildren, Chris Bylsma and his wife, Rachael, of Cibalo, Texas, Grant Bylsma and his wife, Jennifer, of Leander, Texas, and Matt Karnes and his wife, Jane, of Blanco, Texas, Molly Cobb and her husband, Chaz, of Willow Park, Texas; seven great-grandchilden, Evan Bylsma, Madison Bylsma, Nate Bylsma, Ethan Bylsma, Kelly Karnes, Justin Karnes and Clay Murador.

Marie is known to her family as an amazing woman, a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She lived 95 years of life filled with good friends and close family. She was sweet and kind and, truly had a servant’s heart. The family loved and will miss her wonderful stories.

A graveside service is being planned by Farmer Funeral Home for Knupple Cemetery in Silsbee, Texas. The service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 19, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Genesis Baptist Church in Silsbee, Texas.