Felicia Marie Oyler

Felicia graduated from Madison High School in 2002. Upon graduation, Felicia attended the ARC of San Antonio for 10 years until moving to Texas Foundation of Hope in January 2012. She wanted to work making beaded products and earn money! Felicia has bowled her whole life, even before she walked. After returning back to the United States after 2 years in Germany, Felicia joined “The Individuals Bowling League” in 1992. After 33 years, she was still an active league member upon her death. Felicia loved singing and collecting Alvin & the Chipmunks music, movies, Christmas ornaments, stuffed animals, etc. for well over 30 years. She loved journaling about her life by typing on her Chromebook with modifications that helped her with her vision deficits. She collected scrapbook materials, especially paper and stickers, and was always ready to scrapbook with her mom. Felicia loved to sing, but not just Alvin & the Chipmunk songs. She knew most Beatles songs, and loved Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, as well as several other artists. Felicia also loved church music, which she lovingly called “Jesus music.” She loved her dogs, especially the 2 younger dogs. Alvin and Eleanor loved on her daily, as if they were therapy dogs. She could memorize anything, especially when put with music. Her constant love was Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies, along with Whataburger, Taco Bell, and pizza from anywhere!

Felicia’s bright light of life will continue to shine on in her mother, Bonnie Jean Jensen-DuBois and father, David Judson DuBois; brother, Jeremy Paul Oyler; sister-in-law, Whitney Penn (Rathke) Oyler; nephews, Jack Lars Oyler (7) and Lars Mattis Oyler (4); and her great aunt, Dee Eisenbraun, who was a constant source of support, love, and guidance throughout Felicia’s life.

Felicia’s family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Enhabit Home Health for providing needed services to keep Felicia strong and active during her recent surgery and recovery. All of their staff were both kind and loving towards Felicia.

Donations can be made in Felicia's name to Texas Foundation of Hope (TxFH), Felicia's work program since January 2012. Their address is 2845 Thousand Oaks Dr. San Antonio, Tx 78232. Their phone number is 210-265-3351.

Although Felicia was born with medical issues, she always stayed positive, was kind to everyone, and was never selfish. She was simply the happiest person you could ever meet, who demonstrated JOY everyday! She was the kind of person you wanted to be around because she would lift you up no matter what her own problems were. She will be missed every single day.

Mom’s Letter to Felicia:

Prepared for Felicia’s ‘Celebration of Life’ held 4-12-2025

“Heaven’s Very Special Child” written by Edna Massimilla, Hatboro, PA.; Written in 1956

A meeting was held quite far from earth

“It’s time again for another birth”

Said the angel to the Lord above,

“This special child will need much love.”

“Her progress may seem very slow,

Accomplishment she may not show.

And she’ll require extra care

From the folks she meets way down there.

She may not run or laugh or play

Her thoughts may seem quite far away

In many ways she won’t adapt

And She’ll be known as handicapped.

So, let’s be careful where she’s sent

We want her life to be content

Please, Lord, find the parents who

Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right way

The leading role they’re asked to play

But with this child sent from above

Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they’ll know the privilege given

In caring for this gift from Heaven

Their precious charge, so meek and mild

Is Heaven’s very special child.”

Google says that there are 15,487 days between November 5th, 1982, and March 31, 2025… As a grieving mom, that just doesn’t seem like enough days.

Dear Felicia, I was only 21 years old when I had you. I had your brother two years earlier when I was 19, so I had expected everything to go like it had with Jeremy. However, you had to do things your own way. After a complicated delivery you made your entrance into this world at 9:44 pm on November 5th! You were so beautiful from the very beginning…my strong and brave little girl. After some testing the doctors realized that you had been born with a condition called ‘congenital hydrocephalus’ which is when you have extra fluid in your head at birth. At 16 hours old you had your very first shunt placed which would become the first of 15 surgeries over your lifetime…you were very proud of that accomplishment. You knew everything about your medical history, and you were always able to tell anyone that would listen all about those 15 surgeries: when, where, who performed the surgery, and many other details like the green sheets in Germany that I had forgotten over the years. I was very proud of you for embracing that knowledge about yourself so that you understood why you learned and did things in a different way…not a bad way, just a different way.

Oh Felicia! That first year was a tough year! Many infections along your shunt line and trips to the hospital. So would begin over 42 years of ‘mother/daughter bonding’ going to doctor appointments and hospital visits! At about a year old, I realized that unless I was talking to you, you didn’t know I was there! When you were born, the doctors had told us that you might be totally blind, and I was beginning to think they were right. So, you know what I did Felicia? That night after I had you and Jeremy tucked away in bed, I sat on the kitchen floor, and I cried and cried! I prayed to God, and I told him, “You gave me this beautiful little girl! I am going to need your help so I can give Felicia the best life she can have! Please guide me and give me the strength and the knowledge to be the best mom and advocate for this little girl! PLEASE! I am so lost!” And you know what Felicia? God did just that! He guided me throughout your entire life! I paid close attention to what the doctors said, I read more about ways I could help you learn, and over time, I realized that God had prepared me to be your mom from the beginning of my life! I had volunteered with kids with special needs in Rapid City, South Dakota, with my best friend, and I had a beautiful little cousin, Angie, who passed away when I was in high school! She was the sweetest little angel who showed such love for life…well, she showed this very selfish ‘only child’ compassion, love, and understanding in a whole, new way. I will always thank Angie for that early understanding.

I was with you every day when you were little. From camp CAMP Developmental Center to your PPCD programs, you taught me so much! When you were about 7 years old, I decided to go back to college to become a Special Education Teacher because I loved being with you in your classes with all your friends with different needs...everyone was learning, just in different ways! I thought the best way to help you was to go to college and learn strategies, terminology, and the law so I would always be your best advocate! During this time, I realized that you had some very unique learning needs because of your visual impairments. Remember Carrilee? Well Felicia, she talked me into going to college even longer to become a Teacher for the Visually Impaired, and later, an Orientation and Mobility Instructor! I learned how to support you and guide you in your learning AND I was able to talk about you and show pictures of you at work every day!

Together we realized that you learned things better when put to music, make changes in small steps, use real things to understand new concepts, and to ‘never say never’ when learning a new skill. YOU were the ultimate teacher Felicia! You taught everyone that no matter what, if you stayed positive, had a good heart towards others, smiled and demonstrated JOY, you would show people what love of life looks like! I always told you how much I loved you sweet girl, how proud I was of you, and how brave you were…. In your words, “Like the Brave Little Toaster” 😊… I will live the rest of my life trying to be the best person I can be by being positive, have a good heart towards others, smile, and demonstrate joy knowing that you are a peace beside Jesus surrounded by unlimited love and understanding without any disabilities. When the time comes, I plan to be by your side once again, so be prepared to share all your stories of your time in Heaven…maybe you can journal about them, so you don’t forget😊!

Mom Loves You Sweet Girl…Always and Forever…