Annie Marie Avey

Annie Marie Avey - astute yet caring, audacious yet loving, with an infectious laughter was called home by her Heavenly Father on Monday morning, April 7, 2014, at the young age of 94. She was a cherished wife, dependable sister, doting aunt, and thoughtful friend to all who were blessed to know her.

"Bee" was born July 1, 1919, in San Marcos, Texas. She graduated from San Marcos High School and was the last surviving member of the Class of '36.  

On February 10, 1940, Bee married her high school sweetheart, Roy Avey, whom she affectionately called "Love".  Bee and Roy moved to Los Angeles in 1936 and during World War II, while Roy worked for Douglas Aircraft, Bee busied herself making bandages for the Red Cross. They, along with her sister, Ruth and Roy's twin brother, Ray, returned to San Marcos in 1945 to open what is known today as Avey Plastics. 

In 1949, as the owners of the Corral Outdoor Theater in Wimberley, Bee and Roy hosted a meeting that was instrumental in creating the church known today as Chapel in the Hills. As the last living charter member, Bee was extremely active in her beloved church, the choir and with the precious friends she made there.

Bee was also the last surviving founding member of the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce. In the 1980's, she was active in the San Marcos chapter of the Daughters of the Nile and would often joke that she was Cleopatra. Bee loved to sing, a tradition encouraged by her father early in her childhood with her sisters. As an adult, she bolstered her desire for singing as an established member of the Wimberley Community Chorus.

Bee was not one to sit on the sidelines. When Roy earned his pilot's license, Bee decided she wanted to earn hers as well. She was known to fly a leg or two with Roy in their yellow and brown Stinson airplane around Texas. As an accomplished traveler, Bee spent many years as Roy's navigator in their motor-home on trips visiting all 50 states, as well as traveling to many countries overseas. Bee always kept her house-on-wheels proudly adorned with teddy bears and seasonal decor.  She returned home from every adventure with a new magnet for her refrigerator. With all their travels, eventually there was no space left on the fridge, but the magnets never ceased to offer a walk down memory lane. Despite their many adventures, her favorite place to be was floating on the Blanco River in their backyard with and a glass of iced tea along with their dogs, Lady, then Prettsie and later, Yeller. 

Bee was active in many travel and square dance groups. She also enjoyed a challenging game of cards or dominoes with her favorites being a game of 42 or Hand & Foot. She also loved fudge, Cracker Barrel, homemade ice cream, hamburgers, and watermelon. She is fondly remembered by her family for her delicious strawberry pie.

Bee enjoyed looking her best and coordinating her outfits, so, naturally, shopping was another favorite past time: from Joske’s and Frost Brothers during her family’s all-girls holiday tradition on the San Antonio Riverwalk, to Korets and the Old Country Store at Cracker Barrel.  Recently, her nieces got her hooked on Chico’s, where she would often talk about which of her accessories would work with her selection-of-the-day, referring to them by color, such as her “purple set.” To keep up with her youthful beauty, Bee frequented the “beauty shop” once a week and while her hair was setting, always painted her own fingernails. On rare occasions when Bee would take a break from her social activities, she would flip channels between old Lawrence Welk and I Love Lucy episodes. More recently she enjoyed watching Dancing With The Stars. 

As a resident of The Wellington, Bee was true to form. She participated in nearly every social event offered, from dinners out, to card games and dominoes and everything in between. For longevity, she understood just how important it was for her body and mind to keep moving, so she involved herself in a morning walking group that called themselves the "Walkie Talkies." She was loved by all of her neighbors and her favorite thing to tell them was “if you’re leaving and you see me sitting on my front porch, stop and ask if I want to go with you. Chances are, I’ll say yes!”

To cherish her memories Bee leaves behind her sister Nell Gilless of San Marcos; many beloved nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; great-great-nieces and nephews; and even a few great-great-great nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Etta Holtermann; husband, Roy; siblings Madie, Gwen, Minnie B., Ruth, Raymond, and Leroy; and beloved dogs Lady, Prettsie, and Yeller.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 11th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos. The burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at the San Marcos cemetery, followed by a memorial service at Chapel in the Hills in Wimberley at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Bee and her family would appreciate donations to the music fund at Chapel in the Hills. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 1808, Wimberley, TX 78676. Please note "Bee Avey Music Fund" on your donations. More information can be found at www.WimberleyChapelInTheHills.com. 

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Thomason Funeral Home, 512-847-2226.  Condolences may be given at www.thomasonfuneralhome.com