Zelma Bollier

Zelma Myrtle Bollier was born August 20, 1928, in Turnersville, Texas to Robert Clyde Wallace and Myrtle Drosche Wallace. She was ushered into the glory of heaven May 25, 2019 at the age of 90 years, 9 months, and 6 days, surrounded by her loving daughters. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, 107 S. Ave. M, Clifton, TX 76634, with Rev. Mark Nesbit presiding; Visitation at 10:00 am, Funeral at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Clifton Cemetery at 1:30 pm.

Zelma’s mother Myrtle developed complications during childbirth and passed away following Zelma’s birth. Soon afterward her grandparents, Robert Lee and Sarah Jane Wallace, took her into their home and raised her during her childhood and teenage years. Although there were often difficult times, Zelma made the best of each situation and enjoyed many meaningful experiences and close relationships – the closest being with her cousin Sybil Wallace Sparks. While in high school, she met Travis Eugene Bollier and their friendship soon led to dating and eventually a love affair that endured throughout both of their lives. They were married on August 4, 1947 and immediately made their way to Shreveport, Louisiana where Travis was stationed in the Air Force. Her first daughter Gloria was born during their time in Shreveport, and once they completed their military service the young family moved to San Antonio. During their time in San Antonio, her second daughter Shirley was born. Zelma and Travis worked and planned for their young family’s future during these days and eventually decided to relocate to the Dallas area. Soon after arriving in Dallas, her third daughter Marilyn made her way onto the scene and completed their family of five.

The family settled in Farmers Branch and Zelma found herself immersed in the role of taking care of her family. Although she spent a short time working in the cafeteria of Vivian Field Junior High, it was clear that her real calling and joy came from being a loving and supportive wife, and a devoted mother to “her girls”. Through these event-filled years, Zelma’s family thrived, and she worked hard to attend as many school events, class projects, twirling, drill team, and cheerleading performances, or anything else her girls were involved in during their school years. And her neighborhood friends knew she could always be counted on to have a pot of coffee brewing and an assortment of “sweets” ready to welcome them during their visits throughout the weekdays.

Along with the neighbors that came to visit regularly, Zelma also began to entertain a few young men who came over to see her daughters. As time went on, it was evident to her when each one of her daughters fell in love with that special boy. And as each daughter was married, Zelma welcomed her sons-in-law – Glen, then Ernie, and then Mark - with the love and support of a second mother, even referring to them as “her boys”. And each one of them quickly thought of her as “Mom”. Through the ensuing years, Zelma experienced the joy of becoming a grandmother – Ma Maw to her five grandchildren. As much as she loved her daughters and sons-in-law, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her grandkids and she lavished them with her love and affection every chance she had. Ma Maw could often be seen out in the yard watching and participating as “her kids” played; or playing with either dolls, toy cars, games or puzzles with them on the floor in her house. And Ma Maw knew the favorite foods and desserts of each of her grandkids, so they could count on there being plenty of those favorites any time they came for a visit. Something very important over the last 9 plus years for Ma Maw was having the opportunity to do these same types of things with her great-grandson Kason. Her running in the yard had become a lot slower, and her getting on the floor to play cars was a lot more challenging, but she did it just the same because of the love she had for him – she truly loved her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

Upon Travis’ retirement from the Dallas Fire Department, Zelma and he moved to their farm in Cranfills Gap, Texas where they enjoyed many peaceful and rewarding years in the country. Her kids and grandkids visited often and made lasting memories during these years. Zelma and Travis then moved “to town”, which meant into Clifton, where they lived on Avenue L for several years before eventually moving to Arlington to be closer to the kids and grandkids. Ma Maw and Pa Paw lived together in Arlington until Travis’ death in 2006, having been married for 58 years. Although Zelma’s family and friends rallied around her after Travis’ death, living alone was difficult for her, so she began to explore other options for a place to live. After a number of months of searching, Zelma made the decision to sell her house in Arlington and moved into Apartment 49, Building D of the Rainbow Retirement Community back in Clifton, where she lived until her death on Saturday. The almost 10 years at Rainbow were very important to Zelma, as she was reunited with many long-time friends, and made so many new friendships. These friendships and the constant activities in her new community helped her through her grief in losing Travis. She became well known throughout the Rainbow community for her cooking skills – especially her pies and her “sweets”.

Zelma was a devoted Christian for most of her life, having accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, and she did her best to lead her family in a way that glorified God and his church. She served in many volunteer capacities at the churches she and her family attended, and always made it a point to reach out to those who were less fortunate. She leaves a lasting legacy of kindness, caring, and service to others, and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Zelma is survived by her three daughters, Gloria McClour and husband Glen, Shirley Hall and husband Ernie, Marilyn Nesbit and husband Mark; grandchildren Shannon (Kennon) Garms, Edward (Cindy) McClour, Trent (Kim) Hall; great-grandchildren Preston McClour, Megan Garms, Kason Hall; brothers Ralph Wallace and wife Mickey; and cousin Sybil Sparks; along with many loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Travis Bollier; grandchildren Matthew and Meredith Nesbit; parents Robert and Myrtle Wallace; grandparents Robert and Sarah Wallace; sisters Lucille Balch and Ruby Lee Holt - Gouldman; and brother Cecil Wallace.