Pauline S. Thornton

Pauline Sikes Marek Thornton died on December 26, 2016 in Bryan, Texas at the age of 96. She was born August 12, 1920 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Ira Winfred Sikes and Ona McKaskle Sikes. She had an older brother, Winfred Perkins Sikes, and a younger brother, Donal Edgar Sikes. She attended Northwestern State University in Louisiana and obtained a bachelors degree in music. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Houston. She was a music educator for the Arkansas and Texas public school systems as well as private piano instructor. Pauline married Joe Henry Marek in El Campo, Texas on January 30, 1948 and they raised six children together. After her husband’s death she married Jack Thornton in 1985 and resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana until Jack’s death.

Pauline was active in the Methodist Church as a multi-instrumentalist, Sunday school teacher, and President of the United Methodist Women. She loved spending time with her large and extended family. She enjoyed classical music, the symphony and traveled extensively. Additionally, she was well known for her eclectic gardening style and love of pastels (Picture pink and mauve everything).

She is survived by her children, Betty Jo Appelt of Cypress, Texas, Douglas and Barbara Marek of Port Lavaca, Texas, Stanley and Judy Marek of Port Lavaca, Texas, Deborah Askew of Bryan, Texas and stepson Donald Marek of Alvin, Texas, as well as 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her cousin, Edine Nesmith, of Frankson, Texas and two nieces, Donna Elaine Kirby, of Burleson, Texas and Sally and David Norris of Columbus, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Joe Henry Marek and Jack Thornton, sons John Charles Marek and Albert Wayne Marek, and stepdaughter, Diane Methvin and brothers, Winfred Perkins Sikes and Donal Edgar Sikes.

Funeral Services will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 10:30 am. Justin Marek will serve as officiate. Pallbearers are John Marek, Jr., Albert Wayne Marek, Jr., Toby Marek, Matthew Marek, Jeremy Marek, David Askew, David Norris and Rob Kirby. Honorary pallbearers are Cody Marek, Clay Breazeale and Seth Zercher. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral services. Interment will be at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.