Evelyn Joyce Bryza

Evelyn Joyce Bryza April 19, 1923 - June 17, 2009 Evelyn Joyce Bryza passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at St. Catherine's Center, Waco. A private burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Rev. Shelton Markham officiating. Evelyn was born April 19, 1923, to Richard Donaldson Rowley and Margaret Rosemond Graham Rowley in Houston, Texas. She was raised in the Heights area of Houston and the family spent the Depression years farming in Clinton, Louisiana. She married James Lloyd Copeland during World War II, and to that union two sons were born, James Lloyd Copeland, Jr., and Donald Ross Copeland. Their father preceded her in death in 1987. She was a kindergarten teacher for Spring Branch Independent School District, and subsequently an employee of the CPA firm, Sam Gainer and Associates, of Houston. Evelyn married Robert Mark Bryza on April 17, 1996, in Houston, and the couple later retired to Waco. They were active members of Western Heights Baptist Church, where Evelyn taught the Esther Class for two years. She was a member of the Rachael Class during the last year, and was also a member of the Mission and Development Council and the Missions Committee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Mark Bryza in 2004, and by three of her four siblings, R.D. Rowley Jr. of Houston, Margie Clare Myatt of Manvel and Vertna Seay of Houston. Survivors include her two sons, James Lloyd Copeland and wife, Jan, of Waco; and Donald Ross Copeland of Houston; three granddaughters, Ashley Loeffler and husband, Lance, of Houston; Lauren Trahan and husband, Beau, of Waco; and Claire Copeland of Houston; great grandchildren, Elizabeth Loeffler, Caroline Loeffler, James Loeffler and Abigail Trahan; and her sister, Margaret Russell, of Harlingen. The family wishes to thank St. Catherine's Center, Providence Hospice and Visiting Angels for their care and support. Memorials may be made to Western Heights Baptist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.