Jean Marie Sylvester, 51, passed away quietly at her home in Evadale, Texas, Tuesday morning, November 29, 2005, surrounded by her husband and loving family after a heroic three year battle with breast cancer.
Jean Marie was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and was a long time resident of Evadale.
Jean Marie graduated as Salutatorian from Evadale High School in 1972. She graduated from Lamar State University in 1975 with a B. S. of Elementary Education and also in 1978 with a Master of Education in Supervision. She went on to graduate from Sam Houston State University in 1983 with a Master of Library Science. Jean Marie student taught in Silsbee at Read-Turrentine Elementary and Robinson Kindergarten. She taught and served on the board of trustees at All Faith’s Day School Jean Marie also taught first and second grade at Evadale ISD, where she served as a member of the school board and later became the librarian at the elementary and high schools. She was a member of Texas Library Association, served as president of the Athletic Booster Club and the Evadale Ex-Student’s Association. Jean Marie was a sponsor of Evadale High School National Honor Society. She was a member of Mu-Upsilon chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International where she served as Vice President and Ceremonials Chair.
As a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Silsbee, Jean Marie taught Sunday School, Bible School, served as Director of Christian Education, Vestry member, Lay Eucharist Minister, Vice President of the Daughters of the King and was active in the organization of Episcopal Church Women. She was also church historian and photographer and was Altar Guild Directress for twenty years.
Survivors include her husband Kenneth of Evadale; two sons, Jason Sylvester and wife Christie of Evadale and Jonathan Sylvester of Evadale; daughter Jenna Martin and husband Stephen Martin of Mauriceville; parents Robert and Bette Cheek of Evadale; brothers, Joe Cheek of Orange, Robert Cheek of Evadale and Charles Cheek of Houston; grandchildren Klay and Jaxson Sylvester, both of Evadale and several nieces and nephews.
The burial service will be 1:00 pm Saturday, December 3, 2005 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1305 Roosevelt Dr. in Silsbee under the direction of Farmer Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Book of Remembrance, Jean Marie Sylvester Memorial Fund, PO Box 636, Silsbee, TX 77656.
