Mary Maggilen Kizer

Mary Maggilen Kizer passed away Thursday afternoon, February 24, at the home of her daughter. She was 88 years-old. Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27 preceding the service, which will begin at 3 p.m. at Jones-Walker and Son Funeral Home in Commerce.

Pallbearers will be Vernon Wayne Kizer, Chase Kizer, Jay Sadler, Randy Smith, Blake Turner, and Larry Williams.

Maggilen was born August 18, 1922 to George Wesley and Molly Willis Rollen in the Sweatbox community near the Fannin/Hunt county line. She attended Ladonia High School. On Nov. 16, 1941, she married Vernon Howard Kizer who preceded her in death in 2006 just weeks before their 65th wedding anniversary.

A lifelong member of the Durham Baptist Church, north of Fairlie, Maggilen served the church in several roles including Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, church secretary and with her husband as church treasurer. Her family still says no one can fry chicken "as good as ‘Mema'". Her pecan pies and lemon meringue pies were also a big hit with friends and family and at the many church socials. She attended church services most Sundays and then cooked full meals for her family-husband, children and grandchildren. After retirement from the staff of Texas A & M University-Commerce, she and Vernon babysat with the two oldest great grandchildren. Their lives orbited around the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Along with her husband, Maggilen was preceded in death by her son Roger Dale Kizer; her parents; her sisters Georgella Smith, Drusella Rollen, Ethel Woosley, and Lavinia Eudy; brothers Eddie and Odell Rollen; and several nephews and nieces.

Survivors include her daughter Beulah Kizer Gilbreath and husband Truitt; grandson Vernon Wayne Kizer and wife Mendy; granddaughters Michelle Kizer; Teri Gilbreath; and Theresa Sadler and husband Jay. Also surviving are eight great grandchildren Chase, Hailey, Sarah and Jack Kizer; Morgan Turner; Howard Dale "H.D." Davis; Jessi Kate and Bruce Sadler; and Alijah Vernon Gilbreath and three nieces and several great nieces and nephews.