Willa Jean Lyons

Willa Jean Hunter Lyons was born on April 22, 1927 to Hugh Collum Hunter and Audrey Beatrice Bennett Hunter in Whitewright, Texas where she grew up. She died on March 31, 2023 in Cypress, Texas, at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Doris Alexander and Ann Jacobs.

Jean was a graduate of East Texas State Teachers College (now Texas A&M University–Commerce) in Commerce, TX with Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees. She began teaching in 1945 (only one year after graduating high school) and spent her entire working career as an educator. After moving to Houston in 1965, she taught in the Spring Branch ISD, where she concluded her career at Memorial High School, retiring in 1990.

Jean was a faithful member of Memorial Church of Christ in Houston for nearly 58 years. When she was no longer physically able to attend worship services in person, she would watch the services via the internet every Sunday morning.

She is survived by her son, Hugh David Lyons and wife Linda of Haslet, Texas; daughter, Dorann Dauphin and husband Richard of Cypress, Texas; son, Billy Michael Lyons and wife Diane of Brandon, Mississippi; and son, Gary Mark Lyons and wife Hilda of Cypress, Texas. "Memaw", as she was known to her family, is also survived by 14 grandchildren (and spouses); 24 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Jean dearly loved her group of close friends at Memorial Church of Christ that she traveled with through the years. In particular, she cherished her friendship with Val Slaid who, to the very end, was as good a Christian friend as a friend can be. The family would like to thank the staff members of Bristol Park at Cypress Assisted Living and Devotion Hospice for the compassionate care Jean was provided over the last months of her life.

A funeral service will be held in Jean's honor on Friday, April 7, 2023 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, TX 77055. Visitation with the family will begin at 9 am and the funeral service will begin at 10 am.

A graveside service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at City Cemetery, E Grand Ave, Whitewright, TX 75491.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to the Memorial Church of Christ Building Fund, 900 Echo Lane, Houston, TX 77024.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.waltripfuneraldirectors.com for the Lyons family.