Jervis

Lillian Christine “Chris” (Dyer) Jervis, 79 of Ledbetter, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2022 in Ledbetter. A Funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic in Church in Plum with Rev. Felix Twumasi officiating. Burial will follow in the Ledbetter Cemetery at a later date.

Chris was born on June 6, 1943, to Lillian (Stuermer) Dyer and Richard S. Dyer in Brownsville. She was raised and baptized in the Central Christian Church of Brownsville. Her Christian faith was the cornerstone of how she lived her life. She married Jay Harold Jervis, whom she called her prince charming, on Aug. 22, 1965.

Chris graduated from Texas Christian University with a major in elementary education and minor in art. She started her teaching career in Bishop before taking the opportunity to help manage the Valley Christian Encampment in Olmito with her husband Jay. In 1978 they moved to Ledbetter with their two children to help manage the family ranch and store, while also returning to teaching, in La Grange and then Giddings. At this time, she became an active member of First United Methodist Church in Giddings, where she taught Sunday school and often sang in the choir. Even after leaving her teaching career to help run the family’s Stuermer Ranch and Store, she and Jay started business ventures to provide additional opportunities within the community, including Ledbetter Bed & Breakfast, Santa’s Lane of Lights, and Monzi’s and Landmark Event Center in Giddings. Chris also served as secretary of the Ledbetter Cemetery Association, member of Ledbetter Homemaker’s Club, Giddings Study Club, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and after converting to Catholicism was a devoted member of St. Margaret Altar Society and other church ministries.

Christine developed a special friendship with Charles Allen and married on Oct. 9, 2010. Christine and Chad enjoyed traveling together, grand adventures, visiting friends and family, and being active members in St. Margaret Catholic Church in Giddings.

Chris was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Jay Jervis; mother; father; newfound brother, Richard S Dyer, Jr.; brother-in-law, John M Jervis, and sister-in-law, Deanna Jervis.

Chris is survived by her husband, Chad Allen; son, Jon and wife, Missy Jervis (grandchildren, Hunter, Caedon, Lauran, and Maddyson); daughter, Robin and husband, Jay S. Zapalac (grandchildren, Lilliana, Jaylia, Jaycee, Jessica, and Ty); sister-in-law, Susanna Jervis; first cousins, Susan Stuermer Thomas and Bill Stuermer, Jr., and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Growing up as an only child, in 2018 Chris learned of additional siblings and was blessed to establish a special relationship with each one: Ginny and husband, Terri Bassi, Jerry and wife, Nancy Dyer, Rick Dyer and wife, Trina Lagier, and Lyndon and wife, Sheila Dyer. Christine was blessed with bonus children (Charlie, John, Doady, Patrick, Monica, Michele, and Kevin) and grandchildren.

Chris lived her life with the philosophy that everyone could learn, and always saw the good in others. She had a passion for education, including children with learning differences and special needs. Chris had a great appreciation for education as well as making the community she lived in a better place for everyone to enjoy. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the charity of their choice or scholarships for educational opportunities to further the education of youth, including religious education.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.