Maurine Bybee

1934 - 2024

Houston, TX - Mary Maurine Bell Bybee (Maurine) was born in Donna, Texas on April 21, 1934 to Claudia Blanche Whitewood and William Maurice Bell. She graduated from Donna High School in 1952 and attended Rice University, graduating in 1956. She married Joseph Davidson Bybee (David) the same year and had four children - all surviving. Maurine and David were married 68 years.

Maurine was an active member at First Presbyterian Church, and served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session, and active member of the Special Topics Sunday school class. She was one of the founders of the Nehemiah Neighborhood Center, an organization providing a safe haven for children in the local community, and served on the board as well as volunteered. She also served on the board of trustees and the advisory board of Mo-Ranch. Maurine was a dedicated blood donor. After her children were out of the house, Maurine went back to school and studied accounting and then worked for Draper and Associates for 15 years as a bookkeeper.

One of the joys of her life was Bybee Blue River Camp, a family camp she and David organized for their grandchildren, and hosted for one week every summer for 12 years. Camp was frequently in Breckenridge, CO, but also had sessions in Houston, Galveston and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. All year was spent planning activities (hiking, horseback riding, mountain sledding, rafting), crafts, songs and awards for next year's camp - the camp closing ceremonies were truly an "event." Her grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Maurine and David enjoyed many wonderful trips to France, particularly Paris, as well as Turkey, Greece, Russia, and all over the United States. Frequent travel companions were their "dinner club" group and her brother and his wife (the sister she always wanted), Charles and Carolyn Bell. In addition, Maurine and David took every grandchild to Europe when they turned 12; thereby passing along their love of international travel.

Maurine loved to bake and her baked goods were prized by her children and grandchildren alike - her pound cakes and Christmas fruitcake were legendary within the family and extended family.

She is survived by her husband, David, and children Charles, Clinton and wife, Christie, Joseph and wife, Taffi, Blanche and wife, Leslie. Also her eleven grandchildren - Leland, Caroline, Garrison, Andy, Lily, Will, Travis, Cameron, Grant, Christopher and Julia. And her brother Charles, his wife, Carolyn, 3 nephews, Maurice, Lamar, Spencer and wife, Lori and niece Kristina and husband, Michael.

She was a caring and generous person and a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and will be greatly missed.

There will be a celebration of Maurine's life at First Presbyterian Church in Houston on October 19th at 11am. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Nehemiah Neighborhood Center, 5015 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77004, www.nehemiahcenterhouston.org