Lillian Ruth Gold-Piwonka

Lillian Ruth Gold-Piwonka

February 16, 1926 - June 25, 2023

Lillian was born on the family farm outside of Caldwell, Texas on February 16, 1926 to Adolf Gold and Mary Hoyack-Gold. Lillian had two siblings, older half brother, Henry, and younger sister, Mildred, who all grew up contributing to the farm. Lillian was a career-long teacher, starting her education by attending the one-room Providence schoolhouse over two miles from the farm. Upon graduation, she was offered a teaching position as long as she attained a teaching certificate. She continued her education by attending Sam Houston State Teachers College during the summers and completed her undergraduate degree in 1949. Lillian also went the extra mile at Sam Houston to complete her Master of Education degree in '51. At that time, over 70 years ago, it was uncommon for a woman to attain a Master's degree.

On June 28, 1953, she married Robert "Bob" Piwonka and moved to Snook to teach elementary school. They soon moved to Bryan, where she taught at Bowie Elementary, and Bob had been a barber in the mornings across from A&M at North Gate and worked on the farm in the afternoons. They lived with her widowed mother and two daughters on Aspen Street until moving into their home on Sul Ross in 1972. Bob passed of pancreatic cancer in 1978 and Lillian retired from Bowie in 1981. She has lived in their home ever since.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Piwonka; parents, Adolf and Mary Hoyack Gold; half brother, Henry Gold Sr. of Texarkana; brother-in-law, Barney Beran. Surviving are her sister, Mildred Gold Piwonka; daughter, Pamela Stevenson and her children, Ashley Stevenson Dent (Jason); great-grandsons, Jacks, Beckett, and Knox; son, Clayton Stevenson and wife, Haily with a baby on the way; Lisa Piwonka Schmitt (Phil) and their children, Robert, Audrey and Michael; sisters-in-law, Lela Piwonka and Dorothy Fuller; and countless nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Robert Schmitt, Clayton Stevenson, Michael Schmitt, A.J. Zboril, Braeden Benys, and Jaxston Benys.

A viewing will take place on Friday, June 30, 2023 from 5-7pm, at Hillier of BRYAN, 2301 E. 29th St., with the Funeral Service to be held Saturday, July 1 at 11am, also at Hillier. Lillian will be laid to rest on Sunday, July 2 at 11am, at the New Tabor Cemetery on CR 166 near Caldwell, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Amedisys Hospice Foundation, 226 S. Live Oak St., Bellville, TX 77418.

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