Evelyn Lurancia Bynum

Evelyn Lurancia Mast Bynum, 66, was called to Heaven on January 10, 2015, at the Community Hospice Center of Ft. Worth after battling complications from advanced breast cancer. Evelyn was born on October 16, 1948 in Independence, Iowa to Samuel Harrison and Mary Viola Mast. Evelyn, along with her older siblings, Helen Mast Thoma and Earl Mast, grew up in Winthrop and La Porte City, Iowa. Growing up, she was active in 4-H and played the clarinet in the school band. She graduated from La Porte City Community High School in 1966. She worked at the high school for a bit before moving to Des Moines to attend the American Institute of Business. She graduated in February 1969 with and Associates Degree and moved to Denver, Colorado, to work. While she was living in Denver she joined a square dance club where she met the love of her life, Graydon “Gene” Eugene Bynum, Sr. They dated for six months and on December 30, 1969, they were married in La Porte City, Iowa at the Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church. Evelyn, Gene, and family moved to California in 1971. They lived there until December 1978 when they moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While in Saudi Arabia, she learned to scuba dive and became an avid diver. She was also able to share Gene’s love of traveling. She was the Administrative Secretary to one of the administrators of King Abdul Aziz University Hospital. She made many good friends during the time she lived there that she continued to stay in touch with over the years. She and the family moved back to California in 1984, and then moved to Sherman, Texas in 1988. While living in Sherman, she also volunteered at the Republican Party of Grayson County. She was active with groups at the different churches she joined over the years. She enjoyed being a part of a mentor team at Gateway Church and with the grandparents group at Liberty Christian School. Evelyn had a big heart and a generous and caring nature. She often “adopted” the friends of her children, many of whom called her “Mom.” She had a great attitude and was always positive, relying on her strong faith to get her through difficult times. Evelyn enjoyed laughing with family and friends. She had a great smile that lit up her eyes and face. Evelyn loved to cook and especially to bake; much to the enjoyment of her family and friends. She loved to sew until arthritis made it difficult. She spent her leisure time solving crossword puzzles, playing Sudoku, watching crime dramas, and giving back and helping others. Above all else, she loved God and her family. Evelyn was good at many things, but bless her heart, she was technology challenged. Her attempts at texting provided entertainment to her children and grandchildren, who enjoyed having the chance to teach her instead of the other way around. Evelyn is survived by her six children, Graydon Bynum, Jr., Lorraine Bynum, Carol Voermans, Christina Bynum and Darren McMurray, Jeannette and Brent Tipps, William “Willie” Bynum and Jamie Posey; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Voermans, Sarah and Brad Vaughn, Samantha Waterhouse and Kolton Broumley, Graydon Tipps, Berkley Tipps, Chase Bynum, Gage Hendrickson; and three great-grandchildren, Dayton McCullough, Parker Marshall, and Brinton Vaughn. She is also survived by her sister Helen Mast Thoma, brother Earl and Brigitte Mast; brothers-in-law, Paul and Carol Bynum, Larry Gaines; sister-in-law, Karen Gaines McElfresh; and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Mary Mast; brothers-in-law, Michael “Big Mike” Gaines, Kevin Gaines; and her husband and soulmate, Graydon Eugene Bynum, Sr. Memorial services will be at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas on Friday, January 16, at 12:30pm, following the viewing at 11:30am. There will be a graveside service at 4:00pm in Pottsboro, Texas at Georgetown Cemetery; where Evelyn will be laid to rest with her husband, Gene . Evelyn was a very caring and giving person, as well as practical. She demonstrated these qualities with her wish that in lieu of plants and flowers, donations be made to the Joan Katz Breast Center and the American Cancer Society. “Plants and flowers die, it’s better to make a difference and help those who need it.” Evelyn was strong, in family, in spirit, and in faith; faithful, to the Lord, to family, and to herself; and loving to everyone around her. She was optimistic, even when facing adversity. She always said that you can’t control what happens, but you can control how you choose to deal with it. She chose to be positive and have faith that God would guide her and see her through.