ZELMA BOLLIER
August 20, 1928 - May 25, 2019
Zelma Myrtle Bollier was born August 20, 1928, in Turnersville,
Texas to Robert Clyde Wallace and Myrtle Drosche Wallace. She was
ushered into the glory of heaven May 25, 2019 at the age of 90 years, 9
months, and 6 days, surrounded by her loving daughters. Funeral services
will be Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, 107 S.
Ave. M, Clifton, TX 76634, with Rev. Mark Nesbit presiding; Visitation
at 10:00 am, Funeral at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Clifton Cemetery
at 1:30 pm.
Zelma’s mother Myrtle developed complications during childbirth and
passed away following Zelma’s birth. Soon afterward her grandparents,
Robert Lee and Sarah Jane Wallace, took her into their home and raised
her during her childhood and teenage years. Although there were often
difficult times, Zelma made the best of each situation and enjoyed many
meaningful experiences and close relationships – the closest being with
her cousin Sybil Wallace Sparks. While in high school, she met Travis
Eugene Bollier and their friendship soon led to dating and eventually a
love affair that endured throughout both of their lives. They were
married on August 4, 1947 and immediately made their way to Shreveport,
Louisiana where Travis was stationed in the Air Force. Her first
daughter Gloria was born during their time in Shreveport, and once they
completed their military service the young family moved to San Antonio.
During their time in San Antonio, her second daughter Shirley was born.
Zelma and Travis worked and planned for their young family’s future
during these days and eventually decided to relocate to the Dallas area.
Soon after arriving in Dallas, her third daughter Marilyn made her way
onto the scene and completed their family of five.
The family settled in Farmers Branch and Zelma found herself immersed in
the role of taking care of her family. Although she spent a short time
working in the cafeteria of
Vivian Field Junior High,
it was clear that her real calling and joy came from being a loving and
supportive wife, and a devoted mother to “her girls”. Through these
event-filled years, Zelma’s family thrived, and she worked hard to
attend as many school events, class projects, twirling, drill team, and
cheerleading performances, or anything else her girls were involved in
during their school years. And her neighborhood friends knew she could
always be counted on to have a pot of coffee brewing and an assortment
of “sweets” ready to welcome them during their visits throughout the
weekdays.
Along with the neighbors that came to visit regularly, Zelma also began
to entertain a few young men who came over to see her daughters. As time
went on, it was evident to her when each one of her daughters fell in
love with that special boy. And as each daughter was married, Zelma
welcomed her sons-in-law – Glen, then Ernie, and then Mark - with the
love and support of a second mother, even referring to them as “her
boys”. And each one of them quickly thought of her as “Mom”. Through the
ensuing years, Zelma experienced the joy of becoming a grandmother – Ma
Maw to her five grandchildren. As much as she loved her daughters and
sons-in-law, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her grandkids and she
lavished them with her love and affection every chance she had. Ma Maw
could often be seen out in the yard watching and participating as “her
kids” played; or playing with either dolls, toy cars, games or puzzles
with them on the floor in her house. And Ma Maw knew the favorite foods
and desserts of each of her grandkids, so they could count on there
being plenty of those favorites any time they came for a visit.
Something very important over the last 9 plus years for Ma Maw was
having the opportunity to do these same types of things with her
great-grandson Kason. Her running in the yard had become a lot slower,
and her getting on the floor to play cars was a lot more challenging,
but she did it just the same because of the love she had for him – she
truly loved her children, her grandchildren, and her
great-grandchildren.
Upon Travis’ retirement from the Dallas Fire Department, Zelma and he
moved to their farm in Cranfills Gap, Texas where they enjoyed many
peaceful and rewarding years in the country. Her kids and grandkids
visited often and made lasting memories during these years. Zelma and
Travis then moved “to town”, which meant into Clifton, where they lived
on Avenue L for several years before eventually moving to Arlington to
be closer to the kids and grandkids. Ma Maw and Pa Paw lived together in
Arlington until Travis’ death in 2006, having been married for 58 years.
Although Zelma’s family and friends rallied around her after Travis’
death, living alone was difficult for her, so she began to explore other
options for a place to live. After a number of months of searching,
Zelma made the decision to sell her house in Arlington and moved into
Apartment 49, Building D of the Rainbow Retirement Community back in
Clifton, where she lived until her death on Saturday. The almost 10
years at Rainbow were very important to Zelma, as she was reunited with
many long-time friends, and made so many new friendships. These
friendships and the constant activities in her new community helped her
through her grief in losing Travis. She became well known throughout the
Rainbow community for her cooking skills – especially her pies and her
“sweets”.
Zelma was a devoted Christian for most of her life, having accepted
Christ as her Savior at an early age, and she did her best to lead her
family in a way that glorified God and his church. She served in many
volunteer capacities at the churches she and her family attended, and
always made it a point to reach out to those who were less fortunate.
She leaves a lasting legacy of kindness, caring, and service to others,
and she will be missed by all who knew her.
Zelma is survived by her three daughters, Gloria McClour and husband
Glen, Shirley Hall and husband Ernie, Marilyn Nesbit and husband Mark;
grandchildren Shannon (Kennon) Garms, Edward (Cindy) McClour, Trent
(Kim) Hall; great-grandchildren Preston McClour, Megan Garms, Kason
Hall; brothers Ralph Wallace and wife Mickey; and cousin Sybil Sparks;
along with many loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends. She
is preceded in death by her husband Travis Bollier; grandchildren
Matthew and Meredith Nesbit; parents Robert and Myrtle Wallace;
grandparents Robert and Sarah Wallace; sisters Lucille Balch and Ruby
Lee Holt - Gouldman; and brother Cecil Wallace. |