Norma Jean Bayless

Jean Bayless was born February 20, 1934, in Rockwall, Texas, to Gus and Marguerite Garrett. She was the much-beloved sister of Ann Ponder and Kenneth Garrett. Jean grew up on a farm in Rockwall County and graduated from Rockwall High School in 1951. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 12, 2021, in Plano, Texas.

Jean worked at Westinghouse for 40 years, where she met and married Jim Bayless. They enjoyed 41 years together—filled with laughter, good food, and SMU football games until his death in 2005. Jean would later fall in love, marry, and care for Earl Knavel until his death in 2019. Although Jean had no children of her own (very intentionally, she would have you know), she adored and kept up with all the affairs of her nieces and nephews and their beautiful families.

Over her lifetime, Jean volunteered thousands of hours in the Dallas/Lakewood community—serving lunch to the homeless, assisting patients at Doctor’s Hospital, and bringing joy to the “old people” at Golden Acres Retirement Village.

Jean was a wellspring of wisdom, guidance, and recommendations. When she retired from Westinghouse, she was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award as the “Official Overseer & General Controller of All Things Westinghouse.” To hear Jean tell it, “I am not bossy or controlling; I just have better ideas.”

Jean constantly bragged on her family. She was an encourager, a listener, and a realist. She believed in family, hard work, and lipstick. She epitomized a life well lived—a life of selfless service with no fussing. She only wanted to hear about you.

Jean was a member of Christ Redeemer Church and leaves behind many heartbroken friends and family members, including the families of John David & Carol Ferguson, Gerald & Mitzi Garrett, Terry & Shelley Garrett, Mark & Julia Ponder, Paul David & Lea Ann Ponder, Steve & Bliss Ponder, and Donna, Keli & Eli Aldridge.