Margaret Jean (Reznicek) Bravenec

Margaret Jean (Reznicek) Bravenec, age 83, of Houston, Texas, was received into the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 27, 2023 at Sunrise of Cinco Ranch Senior Living in Katy, Texas, with her daughter by her side.

Jean was born on October 23, 1939 at St. Joseph Maternity Hospital in Houston, Texas to Louis Joseph and Agnes Margaret (Schiller) Reznicek. She graduated in 1957 from Sam Houston High School in northeast Houston and a year later married the love of her life, Frank Richard Bravenec, at Houston Brethren Church on August 2, 1958.

While in high school, Jean worked part-time at Butler-Grimes Notions Co, a five and dime store located on Lyons Ave. Jean’s life was embodied by faith, family, and friends. As a young wife and mother, Jean focused her talents on raising her children, cooking, canning, making sauerkraut and kolaches, sewing clothes, crafting, and maintaining a beautiful home. She often referred to her job title as “Domestic Engineer” and she excelled at it in every way.

Even with her busy home life, Jean found time to host backyard 5-day clubs, be a Camp Fire Girls leader, bake cakes and make doll clothes for the annual Valley Oaks Elementary Western Jamboree, participate in Bible Study Fellowship and the Camp Peniel Auxiliary, establish her own company named “JayBee Creations”, host dinner guests, go dancing with Frank, antique shop, organize a Reznicek family cookbook, and tend to her plants and naturalistic yard. She was a member of SPJST Lodge 88 and Charter Member of the Czech Cultural and Community Center.

Over the years, Jean and Frank, often with children in tow, took driving vacations throughout the United States, camped at Lake Sam Rayburn, attended family gatherings and reunions, fished and crabbed in Galveston, and enjoyed weekends at the “Ant Hill”, an 82-acre wooded parcel of land near Cat Springs, Texas. When her grandchildren were young, Jean would have them at the house during the summer and amuse them with board games and fun activities in the Houston area. There were also annual beach trips to north Padre Island. As the grandchildren grew, Jean and Frank drove to the Dallas area to watch them play sports and enjoy their orchestra concerts. Their ultimate trip was with Phyllis to their ancestral homeland, the Czech Republic, which included time in Germany and France.

Jean was an active member of Spring Branch Community Church. Over the years she attended Ladies Day Bible study, taught children’s Sunday school, lead Pioneer Girls, assisted with Vacation Bible School, was a wedding hostess, and worked in the church office creating a newsletter called “The Branch”. While attending Bethel Independent Presbyterian Church, she planned and organized outings for the Senior Adults. Jean had a wonderful life.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 59 years, Frank Richard Bravenec, daughter Patti Lynn Bravenec, sister Jacqueline Lou (Reznicek) Marek and husband Bennie, and parents Louis and Agnes Reznicek.

She is survived by son Richard Alan Bravenec and wife Mary; and daughter Phyllis Ann Bravenec, granddaughter April Elizabeth (Bravenec) Hunter and husband Ryan; and Michael Alan Bravenec and fiancée Maria Paniagua; brother Louis Joseph Reznicek Jr and wife Brenda, brother Gary Lyn Reznicek, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Sunrise of Cinco Ranch and Choice Hospice, and sisters Gesi and Azarel, for the tender and loving services they provided to Jean while she completed her earthly journey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jean’s memory can be made to Christ Presbyterian Church (www.cpchouston.org), BridgePoint Bible Church (www.bridgepointbible.org) or Camp Peniel (www.camppeniel.org).