Loyce Steele-Hicks

Anna Loyce Ray Steele was born August 17, 1931, to Euel and Margery Butman Ray in Coleman, Texas, and left this earth to join the Creator on March 23, 2010. She was the granddaughter of Samuel Butman, Sr., a pioneer of the Abilene area. Her siblings included Kenneth and Vernon Ray, now deceased, and Peggy Thorne of Katy, Texas, and Becky Pyburn of Abilene, Texas. Loyce was a graduate of Coleman High School in 1948 and McMurry University in Abilene in 1951.

Loyce was an active civic and social leader throughout her life. These positions of service included numerous life memberships: Life Membership in the Lake Conroe Area Republican Women; Life Membership in the organization for Methodist Women, WSCS; Vice President of the Weschester High School Wranglerettes, in charge of planning the organization’s trips to Japan and Hawaii. Kindness and graciousness radiated from this woman who was family to some of us so fortunate, and a friend to many in all points of the world where she traveled frequently.

Loyce was born into a family of teachers which began with her mother, Margery. Loyce’s teaching experience included positions at Jackson Junior High School in Pasadena, Texas, and work at Cullin Junior High and Hamlin Junior High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.

She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Steele, husbands, Horace Steele, Walter Bauerschlag, and Paul Hicks. She is survived by her children, Randall and Phillis Steele, Tim and Sheri Lathrop, Barry and Donna Bauerschlag, Bob and Caryl Bauerschlag, Bill and Monica Bauerschlag, Maribeth and Max Melcher, Melanie and Jay Janica, Holly and Deen Wood, James and Cathy Hicks, and John and Carol Hicks; 27 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079. Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at 11:00 AM.

In Lieu of flowers please send donations to the April Sound Church 67 ½ April Wind South, Montgomery, TX 77356 or the Butman Methodist Camp 158 County Road 674 Merkel, TX 79536.