Marie Schwartz

Marie Hayes Schwartz slipped away peacefully to heaven on May 29, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born on May 22, 1939, in Kerrville, Texas to Mattie Sara and Erastus Levi Hayes. Marie was the youngest child of a large family. She grew up in Kerrville and Bastrop and later lived in Houston, Texas. In Houston at the Esquire ballroom, Marie met the love of her life Kenneth Schwartz. Together they built a life, a family and a business, raising daughters Vickie and Margo and son K.D., first in the Houston area and later relocating to Brenham, Texas. Marie worked tirelessly raising her family and doing office work helping Kenneth as he worked in business endeavors Schwartz Construction and BSH Construction, Inc. She shared that in the early years of entrepreneurship they worked many years straight without taking a break or vacation. While in Houston Marie and Kenneth enjoyed hosting parties and family gatherings, playing cards with friends, occasionally travelling and taking ballroom dancing lessons.

After moving to Brenham, Marie embraced life in the country. Marie, called Mimi by her grandkids, was loving, competitive and fiercely loyal. She was known for her amazing chicken and dumplings, cheesecake, pies, and canning skills. Marie was also talented with growing plants, dealing with animals, giving haircuts and handling a gun when rattlesnakes came around. She found joy in reading novels, playing pitch and solitaire, time with family and grandchildren, and the occasional trip to casinos. Marie's faith life was important to her, as a long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in William Penn. She and Kenneth later joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in College Station to sit alongside K.D. and his family in Sunday worship. In recent years, following Kenneth's passing and even as her energy declined, Marie was motivated to attend church consistently and participate in her monthly bunco group. She was courageous and steadfast in facing her declining health.

Marie is survived by daughter Vickie Carroll, daughter Margo Barnes and son-in-law Maury, son K.D. Schwartz and daughter-in-law Liz; grandchildren: Morgan Ryza and husband Rodney, Nikki Moore, Shea Kerman and partner Christine, Blake Kerman and wife Jamie, Connor Schwartz, Olsen Schwartz and fiancé Lily Taylor, and Jessie Schwartz; great grandchildren Brianna Booth, Elizabeth Booth, Georgia Maldonado, Haden Ryza, Gwen Ryza, Payton Kerman, and Decker Kerman. She was preceded in death by husband Kenneth Schwartz, son-in-law Billy Guy Carroll, her parents, siblings, in-laws and numerous other beloved relatives.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to the Traditions Hospice team, including caregivers Ro and Joyce.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 3, from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, Texas 77833. The celebration of life funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1200 Foxfire Drive, College Station, TX 77845, with lunch following. Burial will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 10202 FM 1935, Brenham, TX, 77833. Pastor Michael Hafer will serve as the officiant. Pallbearers are Chad Hayes, Bradley Klussmann, Ryon Mayes, Logan Schwartz, Robert Schwartz, David Sorrells. Honorary pallbearers are Don Pohlmeyer and James Hayes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church Capital Campaign, 1200 Foxfire Drive, College Station, Texas 77845.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.