Marie Joyce Bittick, 92, of Lufkin, Texas, passed from this world on July 22, 2018. She was born on July 22, 1926 in Shelby County to Iva Nell Coe Shelton and Pluma Reedy. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 27, 2018 at the Old Salem Cemetery in Center.  A memorial will follow on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Kingdom Hall located at 2212 E. Lufkin Avenue in Lufkin. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be sent to her congregation in memorial for projects dear to her heart.

 

Marie was very involved in the ministry of the Lufkin East Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where she enjoyed volunteering, sharing the Bible and helping those in need. In her spare time, Marie loved working with her flowers, honing her skills as a master gardener. Even though everyone said she had a green thumb, her most notable trade was in the kitchen where her sweet tea and hot water cornbread accompanied almost every delicious meal. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing all of her own clothes and fashioning quilts for each of her great-grandchildren, whom she treasured more than life.

 

Marie is survived by her son, Tommy Bittick of Burke; grandchildren, Tanya Guajardo and husband, Michael of Huntington, Chad Bittick and wife, Kim of Lufkin, and Brandi Turner and husband, Rodney of Huntington; great-grandchildren, Rachael Guajardo, Bradley Turner, Joshua Bittick, Lance Turner, Marissa Guajardo and Gabriel Guajardo.

 

She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jessie Leon Bittick; sisters, Hazel Weeks, Bobbie Jean Allmon and Iva Nell Coe Shelton; and her first great grandchild, Michael Stephen Guajardo, Jr.

 

Pallbearers are Bradley Turner, Lance Turner, Joshua Bittick, Gabriel Guajardo, Aaron Young, Gilbert Jacinto and Patrick Sloan.

 

The family is being served by Mangum Funeral Home in Center, Texas. To send condolences or to sign an online register, please visit www.mangumfh.net.