Erma Dean Kell was born Sept. 11, 1931, to Mae Nichols Kell and Horace Kell in Ashley Creek, Mo. She was the fourth born sibling of five: Oliver, Faye, Violet and Bobby Kell, each of her siblings, lived in Missouri. Erma married the love of her life, Wendell Hampton Byler on Jan. 29, 1955. Wendell always said she was the most beautiful woman in Brown County. Together they had three children: daughter, Theresa Faye and sons, Wynn Morris and John Shane Byler. Being a wife and mother was something Erma truly found extreme joy in. She spent her life taking care of Wendell and their children.
Erma enjoyed cooking and baking and was good at it. She would often feed the entire football team at their home. She loved to cook Sunday family dinners. Erma also liked to garden and could grow the best tomatoes. She loved to shop, for herself and others, owning every shade of pink and blue heel available.
Wendell and Erma owned Byler Angus Farm, where you could find Erma right in the middle of watering or feeding the cattle, or at the birth of a new calf. The Byler’s also owned and operated Twilight Nursing Home. Erma did not hesitate to give direct care to the residents. She spent endless hours curling hair or painting nails to bring happiness to their day. Her love and dedication to Twilight will forever be remembered and appreciated by many.
Faith was very important to Erma and she was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Bangs. Many of her closest friends she met there, as they shared years of joy and sorrows. Erma was an amazing Memaw to Amber, Matt and Kylee. She took them on vacations. She went to their plays and ball games. She pulled them in the little red wagon and even let them pull her when they insisted. Erma touched the lives of so many. She was truly a lady, graceful and kind. Family meant the world to her.
Survivors include sons, Wynn Byler and Tina, John Byler and wife, Kristine; grandchildren, Amber Byler and Chad, Matt Byler and wife, Mattie, and Kylee Byler as well as Christopher, Brandon and Dusty Hinton; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Emma, Autumn, Jayton and Rylee; sisters-in-law and love, Freda Kell and Sharolyn Byler; niece, ShyAnn; as well as other dear nieces and nephews.
Erma was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Theresa Faye Byler in 1972; her loving husband, Wendell in 2018; her parents; and each of her siblings, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews as well as other dear family and friends.
Erma passed away from this life on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, in Bangs, Texas.
Services were Monday, Sept. 24, at First Baptist Church of Bangs, Texas.
PAID
