November 12, 1924 — August 11, 2025
Dike
Funeral service for Marie Chester, age 100, of Dike, Texas will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs, Texas with Bro. Donnie Powers and Dubby Henton officiating. Interment will follow at Mahoney Cemetery with Roger Burks, Gary Burks, Donald Patterson, Dubby Henton, Timmy Dorner, Brian Dorner, Donnie Powers, and Jay McClung serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will include Ray Williams, Joe Don Joslin, and Mike Mathis. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Ms. Chester passed away at Christus Mother Frances Hospital on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Evelyn Marie Chester was born on November 12, 1924 in the home of her parents John and Thaddie Cranford in the small community of Paducah, Texas. At the age of six months, Marie and her family relocated to Hopkins County, Texas in 1925. Known to all as Marie, she was a student through the 8th grade at Liberty School and was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church. She was joined together in Holy Matrimony on April 22, 1939, and was a dedicated wife to Thomas Mervin Chester for 65 years.
Marie worked as an inspector for the H.D. Lee Factory for 23½ years in the Lettering Department prior to becoming an Inspector Supervisor. Some of the many highlights of her employment at the factory included creating the outfit for Big Tex of the Texas State Fair as well as the manufacturing of clothing for James Arness and actor Matt Dillion of Gunsmoke. Marie was a farmer of cotton, corn, and dairy.
Marie was blessed to be the mother of four children; Vonda Nelson, Katie Patterson, Patricia Dorner, and Johnny Chester who was also known by many as “John Bobwire”. Marie proudly wore her title as Grandmother to eight grandchildren, Roger Burks, Gary Burks, Donald Patterson, Linda Henton, Timmy Dorner, Brian Dorner, Karen Powers, and Cheyenne McClung; great-grandmother of 20; and great-great grandmother of 29. She is also survived by son-in-law, Don Patterson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Thaddie Cranford; husband, Thomas Mervin Chester; son, Johnny Chester; daughter, Katie Patterson; and great-great grandchild, Kennedi Burks.
Her favorite pastime was spent cooking, crocheting, quilting, doing yardwork, all while also finding time to volunteer at the Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab for over 50 years and participating in the chili, stew, and Dutch oven contest each year. Marie credits her longevity to an appetite for onions, cornbread, a bowl of beans, and living a Christian life while helping others.
