LILY MAE MAZUR BARRAS
1924-2017
Lily Mae Mazur Barras, a long-time Houston-area resident, passed away on October 11.
Born in Port Arthur, Texas on February 7, 1924, Lil (the youngest of seven) later graduated from St. James Catholic School with varsity letters in archery, badminton, basketball, and field hockey. She studied Accounting at Denton’s Texas State College for Women before working in brother Herman Mazur’s firm in Port Arthur until her marriage to Clarence Barras in 1944.
Lil, an avid dancer in her youth, was particularly known for her Lindy Hop and Clarence courted her on the dance floor. She raised five children as she and Clarence followed his engineering career with Dow Chemical as far as Edmonton, Alberta, Canada before resettling in the Houston area for good in 1987. She also was a woman of faith and generosity, always glad to share the brilliance of her spirit or the work of her hands. Lily was preceded in death by her beloved husband, who died in 2001, and a son, Gregory Barras, who died in 1973.
Lily is survived by four children: Roger Barras and wife Constance of Topsham, ME.; William F. Barras of Houston; The Reverend Robert Barras of Houston; and Sherri Barras and husband David Mintz of Austin. Survivors include five grandchildren: Susan Barras, William A. Barras, Diane Barras, Michael Barras, and Samuel Mintz. “Aunt Lemonade” will also be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews and their children.
A Vigil Service will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday Oct. 15 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home which will include a Rosary Prayer Service at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday Oct. 16 at St. Edith Stein Catholic Church, 3311 N. Fry Road, Katy, TX with The Reverend Ryszard Kulma, Celebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. Pallbearers: Roger Barras, Connie Barras, William F. Barras, Vicky Cravens, Sherri Barras and David Mintz. Donations in Lily’s memory may be made to the St. Edith Stein Building Fund, 3311 N. Fry Rd., Katy, TX 77449.