Margaret June Green Ryman
Margaret June Green Ryman passed away peacefully on Wednesday Aug. 17, 2022 at CARE Nursing and Rehab in Early. She was napping in the company of her daughter, Donna Byrd, and slipped away with the Lord. Services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, at First Baptist Church of Hubbard with Reverend Ricky Woodall and Reverend David Burcham officiating. Interment followed in Fairview Cemetery in Hubbard. Frances Margaret June Green was born at her parents’ home in the middle of a cotton field north of Floydada, on June 7, 1931. She was the youngest child and only daughter born to Frances Margaret Matthews Green and James Emanual Green. She had four older brothers, Jimmy Green, Victor Green, Clyde Green and Don Green. She grew up in the community of Center, where they attended church and a country school.
Music was always a part of the family’s life. The children picked cotton to pay for a used piano, and traded butter and eggs for lessons. There are innumerable episodes of life on the farm and in the canyon recounted to the younger generations. Aunts and uncles and cousins were part of her life.
Margaret Green attended high school in Floydada, and graduated as class Valedictorian. She received a bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist College in English and Fine Arts. She taught third grade at the elementary school in Floydada before she married.
As a 16-year-old she drove the family car to the bus station to meet her brother Don, home for Thanksgiving from Howard Payne College in Brownwood. He brought along his roommate, Jesse Ryman, whose home in South Texas was too far for a short holiday. She later said that she knew when she saw him, she would marry him one day. Jesse Merle Ryman, “Doc,” so called for his aspiration to become a doctor, and Margaret Green Ryman were married on Dec. 27, 1953, at Center Baptist Church in Center. They drove to his home in Wadsworth where they would live with his parents for the next few months as they helped care for his younger sister who was terminal with osteosarcoma. Doc drove to teach biology and chemistry at Sweeny High School. Margaret stayed home and helped with household chores and nursing. In the fall of 1954 following the birth of a daughter the family moved to a house in Sweeny. There they welcomed three more daughters. In 1961 the family moved to Texas City, for Doc to begin medical school at UTMB in Galveston. In 1966, after a year of post-doctoral training in San Antonio, the Rymans moved to Hubbard in order for Doc to begin the practice of medicine. There they would live for the next 56 years. Margaret reared seven children, five girls and two boys, taught Sunday School and Bible School, planned outreach with the Baptist Women organization, and played the piano, becoming church pianist for First Baptist Church in 1974. She worked tirelessly alongside her husband in his endeavors of practice, birding, raising poultry and additional hobbies. Margaret enjoyed her children at home and school, then grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined her happy clan. She is an artist with children, and her family has been eager for her to bless each addition.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Jesse Merle Ryman, her parents and brothers.
Margaret is survived by her children, Sarah Chandler MD and husband, Douglas Chandler of Early, Donna Byrd and husband, Dr. Richard Byrd of Comanche, Susie Ryman of San Antonio, Nancy Ryman of Hubbard, Jesse Merle Ryman III of Hubbard, James Ryman MD and wife, Karen of Hubbard, Beth Overton and husband, Brad Overton of Azle; twelve grandchildren, Jack Chandler and wife, Crystal of Georgetown, Emily Fuller and husband, Clint Fuller of Kilgore, Tim Chandler MD and wife, Jordan of Frisco, Matthew Byrd and wife, Megan of Comanche, Michael Byrd and wife, Stephanie of Arlington, Nathan Byrd of Euless, Stuart Hatcher and wife, Katie of Porter, M.J. Ryman and Jesse Ryman of Hubbard, Brooke Overton and Lauren Overton, Troy Overton and Courtney Overton of Azle; Great-grandchildren, Robert Chandler, Chris Chandler, Dylan Fuller, Phil Fuller, Allie Chandler, Merle Chandler, Anna Byrd, Sam Byrd, Claire Byrd, Hadley Byrd, Layton Hatcher, June Byrd, Hasten Byrd, and very close family friend, Judy Mashburn.
Grandchildren served as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers were great grandchildren.
A special thank you to Dr. Marlen Strefling, Dr. Robert Hogue, Petra Alva, and Juanita Gonzalez and the staff of CARE Nursing and Rehab facility.
If desired, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 501 N. Magnolia, Hubbard, TX 76648, or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
