CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF Wanda Zenota “Zoe” Withers Wanda Zenota “Zoe” Withers, 98 years, born September 13, 1924, in Silsbee, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2023, at her home The Wellington in Conroe, Texas. Zoe was a beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend to many throughout her life. She was born to Alice (Meriwether) and Rashie Bert Marshall, Sr. in Silsbee, Texas, the sixth of seven children. Her mother was a charter member of First Baptist Church of Silsbee influencing Zoe and siblings at an early age to love Christ, believe in salvation and sing His praises. Singing was one of Zoe’s talents, and she sang popular 1940s tunes when selected to sing in a Big Band Era orchestra.

After graduating in 1942 at Beaumont High School, she sang favorites with the band such as “You Made Me Love You”, “Sentimental Journey”, “Boogie-Woogie Blues”. Zoe met Robert Bruce Withers, Jr. (Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart recipient) as World War II began. She and the lieutenant (“R B ” as she called him) began an epic love-letter writing correspondence while he was serving his country in the European Theatre.

As the war ended, they were married in First Baptist Church of Silsbee with a full military ceremony. In a twist of fate, Zoe’s brother and sister “Dude” married, creating a close bond to this day between cousins, nieces and nephews. Zoe had a close relationship with her nieces Cynthia and Vicki, and her nephews Kenny and Stephen Marshall.

Zoe and R.B. attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas.

Two children were born to R. B. and Zoe, a daughter, Monte Zenota Withers and a son, Robert Bruce Withers III. After settling in Silsbee, they built their first home. Zoe began a career as a PBX switchboard operator with SW Bell and then Gulf States, and later with The Port Arthur News. R.B. ‘s career as an educator moved the family from Silsbee, to Deweyville, Madisonville, and Bridge City. In 1974, Zoe and R, B, retired in Madisonville, Texas, where she and R. B., lovingly gave their time at daughter Monte’s Hallmark Shoppe, and helped her raise their three grandchildren, Robert, Gus, and Amanda.

Zoe was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star. R.B. was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Masonic Lodge. Both remained lifelong members. She also was an active member of the Lydia Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church Madisonville.

She was passionate about her hobbies of collecting dolls and antiques.

If anything was historical or held patriotic significance, then Zoe collected it, dated it, and made sure it was preserved!

She was an avid football fan (Texas Aggies) as son Bruce played high school and college football, then taught and coached in Silsbee, where he and wife Beth lived and raised son Robert Bruce Withers IV and daughter, Lacey Elizabeth Withers. After her R. B. ‘s death in 2005, Zoe moved from Madisonville to be closer to son Bruce’s family in Silsbee.

The past eight years Zoe enjoyed living at The Wellington community where she made many friends and was beloved by her caretakers. Her favorite pastimes were Bingo and watching Wheel of Fortune, enjoying visits from her family.

She instilled in her family a love of God and country. She always had a US flag displayed, was a member of VFW, and was most proud of her husband’s military service.

Her family was the center of her world. She remembered everyone’s birthday with a card. Known as the family photographer with her Brownie Kodak camera, she documented for posterity every family occasion writing the details and date on the back of every photo taken. She will be remembered for her kindness to everyone, her love of Hershey’s chocolate kisses, the color purple, being a breast cancer survivor for 35 years. Her favorite flowers were pansies, roses, and hydrangeas. Her devotion was first to God, her country, and her family.

Zoe is preceded in death by her parents Alice and Bert Marshall, her husband, Robert B.

Withers, Jr., her brother Cliff Benton Marshall (Naurene), sister Monte Marshall Stewart (Richard), brothers Armond Bert Marshall, Kenneth Jacob Marshall (Dude), Foch Alton Marshall (Jane), Rashie Bert Marshall (Dixie-living), niece, Marcia Steward Pollard, nephew Alton Eugene Marshall, nephew and wife Stephen Gary and Delores Marshall, great- nephew Jacob Marshall.

Survivors include daughter Monte Zenota Withers Morgan and son Robert Bruce Withers III (Beth), niece Cynthia Marshall McNamara (John), nephew Kenneth Jacob Marshall, Jr. (Donna), niece, Vicki Marshall Mullins (Peyton), Grandchildren Robert Howard Morgan, Gus Randall Morgan (Kim), Amanda Cay Morgan Casey (Robert), Robert Bruce Withers IV (DeeDee), Lacey Elizabeth Withers, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Great-grandchildren, Cora Morgan, Tristan Morgan, Sophie Claire Morgan, Aedan Casey, Ethan Casey, Emma Rose Withers, Zoey Ann Withers, Alyssa Hughes, Ryan Hughes, and great-great grandson, KG Goodman.

The family wishes to sincerely thank The Wellington caregivers. The family is appreciative to Heart to Heart Hospice for their care and devotion extended to Zoe during and through her last days.

Pallbearers: Bruce Withers, Robert Withers, Robert Morgan, Gus Morgan, Kenny Marshall, Tristan Morgan, Aedan Casey, Ethan Casey.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The American Cancer Society donate. cancer.org or a charity of your choice.