Ula was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 32 years, Harold Richard Buchtler; and sister, Mary Elizabeth Owen Rattan. She is survived by brother, Billy Knight Owen; daughter, Beth Buchtler Sherfy; son, Harold Richard Buchtler Jr. (Gaylyn); grandsons, Justin R. Sherfy (Erin), Sean Richard Buchtler (Ashli), and Brandon Lee Buchtler (Kristin); great grandchildren, William Duke Sherfy, Patrick Theodore Sherfy, Ethan Colt Sherfy. Justin Grant Sherfy, Braxton Richard, Kinsley Ruth Buchtler, and Teagan Raylee Buchtler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Forest Park East Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Freeway Webster, TX 77598. In lieu of flowers donations may be made, in Pallie’s honor, to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association www.billygraham.org, In Touch Ministries www.intouch.org, or to Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief www.samaritanspurse.org
The following was written by Pallie on January 10, 2020
I was born in Red Oak, Texas on August 18, 1921. My father, Emory Brown Owen, My mother, Minnie Knight Owen. I had a sister, Mary, three years older than I. A brother, Billy Knight Owen, born seven years after I was born.
My father died when I was 12 yrs. old. Heart attack took him in his sleep. My mother raised three children by faith. God always supplied our needs. Never any surplus in material goods.
From 1933 until 1945, the three of us helped Mother financially. Our country was in World War II and had ended. I was working for the Federal Government at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. I met Harold Richard Buchtler, fell in love, got married in 1945, had two children, Virginia Beth Buchtler and Harold Richard Buchtler Jr. Harold had served in the Marines until the war ended. He was hired by Petro Tex Chemical Co. in Houston, TX. He was very successful and became an officer in the company. We did all the right things. Went to church, gave generously, but we didn’t have Jesus Christ as leader in our lives.
In 1958, I found a lump in my breast. Doctor said surgery must be immediately. I was paralyzed with fear and prayed to God, but nothing happened - I was angry. Finally said “God I can’t handle this, please take it from me”. He did just that and I was awakened in the night with a sense of peace I had from fear since then. I still had not had surgery, but when I did, it was benign and I was experiencing a “Little Easter”. But I failed to ask Jesus what I could do for Him. It was not all about me.
In the 1960’s, I got a job working for NASA. The Apollo phase was going to the moon, bringing excitement to me. NASA was looking for volcanoes and water on the moon. It was very interesting work and a time for me to find a purpose.
In 1976, my husband had his first heart attack and the second one came in a year, which was fatal. I was devastated and felt meaning had left from my life.
In 1977, my first grandson was born and then there were two more - they blessed my life. In 1981, I moved to New Braunfels.
I started reading the scripture. What was to be the meaning of life? John 15:5, “I am the true vine, you are the branches. Abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing”. It opened my eyes, my heart, my mind, and my spirit. He was talking to me. He invited me into His life. I had found the answer to my life. Now I needed to find purpose in my life.
I also found meaning studying the Bible with church groups and with Bible Study Fellowship. With groups that loved the Lord, His word and also to help those that were seeking to know the Lord, His word, and His presence.
I have found the purpose of life, God’s purpose forever into eternity.
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