Lillian Marie Haynie passed from this life on to her eternal home on May 20, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. Marie was born on August 1, 1931 to her parents, John Early Griffin and Lillian Fay Bussey Griffin in Grand Prairie, Texas. When she was 18 months old, her family and she moved to Abilene, Texas. Growing up with her brother, John, the two shared many memories including the time Marie got in trouble for racing John to the car to see who could get there first. She opened the door as her parents were entering the garage and the car door came off.
Marie graduated from Abilene High School in 1948. In 1952, she graduated from Hardin Simmons University with Bachelor of Science in Education and achieved her goal to become a teacher. She taught in Coleman, Texas, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Denton, Texas. On June 7, 1952, Marie married the love of her life, Edward G. Haynie, sharing 65 wonderful years together. Edward and Marie met at a Senior Boy Scout Camp over the Easter holidays in 1947. They kept in touch from Brownwood to Abilene by writing letters to each other. They became serious once Marie graduated and Edward was in the USAF during the Korean War. Edward words to describe his wife were that “she could not have been a better wife.” Not only was Marie the sweetest wife, she was also a very loving mother to their two daughters. Once her children were born, Marie became the best homemaker ever and after her children were in school, became a substitute teacher for the Dallas Independent School District for 11 years. Marie will always be remembered for the love she had for her family.
Marie was happiest with the simplest things. Marie enjoyed traveling and listening to music. She loved to sing and play the piano. She had a diverse taste in music from Big Band to country music, she liked it all. Marie was a lifelong, devoted Baptist. She was a very active member of the church, singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday school, and being department leader. The last five years, Marie attended church at St. Andrew United Methodist Church.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lillian Griffin; and her brother, John. She is survived by her husband, Edward Haynie; her daughter, Melissa Fay Haynie Van Houten and her husband, Kent; her outstanding grandchildren, Natalie Van Houten Armour and her husband, Jonathan, Kellie Van Houten Martin and her husband, Jeremy, and Valerie Van Houten Boldt and her husband Jeff; and her six great-grandchildren, J Crockett and Addison Grace Armour, Webb Anderson and Harlie Marie Martin, and Jillian Jean and Lawrence Jeffrey Boldt.
