Marie Y. Plaia Brunson

Marie Y. Plaia Brunson, 92, of Highland Village, died Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Marie Brunson was born to Giacomo and Marguerite Plaia on August 1, 1933, in Beaumont, Texas. Sadly, her father died when she was eight years old, so she and her mother enjoyed a special closeness as Marie grew up. In 1949 while still in high school, Marie met Everett Brunson. They married upon Marie’s graduation and raised five children together during Everett’s career in the United States military. Everett retired in 1971, and his retirement brought them back to Beaumont after enjoying a military life in several states and overseas.

Once settled back in Beaumont, Marie went to work in the Beaumont Independent School District serving as a teacher’s aide in the Early Childhood Development classrooms working with special needs children. She enjoyed a long career with the BISD, retiring in 1989 to spend time with her family.

Marie has always had Jesus in her life and enjoyed sharing the Gospel and was blessed with a ministry of helping women come to understand their value and importance in the world and the Kingdom of God. Through this ministry she developed many friendships with women from all walks of life.

In 2001, Marie lost her husband, Everett, to cancer and she spent many years in their home in Beaumont until she came to live with her daughter in Highland Village in 2017. In 2019 she became a resident of Rambling Oaks Courtyard and felt blessed to be a part of such a loving and friendly community.

Through a series of health challenges, it was in Marie’s best interests to move her to a facility with memory care. Beginning in August 2024 Marie lived at Magnolia Assisted Living Center and Memory care and lived out the remainder of her days among a staff that showed her love, kindness and compassion until she passed on April 26, 2026.

Marie was preceded in death by, yet reunited with her husband, Everett, daughter Christelle (Kris), her parents Giacomo Plaia and Marguerite Plaia Page and her siblings, Lena Plaia, Tony Plaia, Jules Plaia, Mamie Plaia, Phyllis Plaia Durso, and Joe Plaia in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Everett Brunson II and his wife, Hellen, of Annona, Texas; Steven Brunson and his wife, Glenda, of China, Texas; Kelly Brunson Berard and her husband, Brian, of Highland Village, Texas; Patrick Brunson and his wife, Kathy, of Benton, Louisiana; and Gwen Brunson Fischer and her husband, Charles, of Abilene, Texas; eleven grandchildren, Dori Duckett, Shawn Forbes Sheffield, Stephanie Brunson, Britni Brunson Milam, Alyssa Berard, Jake Brunson, Lauren Brunson Patrick, Erin Brunson Heilman, Matthew Berard, Tanner Brunson, and Kaden Brunson; seventeen great-grandchildren, Rachel Brunson, Katie McCabe, Aidan Sheffield Dublin, Lindy Sheffield, Eva Milam, Kayleigh Craven, Grace Milam, Jax Robinson, Ethan Robinson, Carter Brunson, Parker Brunson, Rhett Patrick, Oliver Patrick, Ellie Heilman, Jett Heilman, Jude Brunson, and Persiphone Brunson; and one great-great-grandson, Owen Brunson Van Sickle; along with numerous loving friends and family.

Special thanks to Magnolia Assisted Living Center and Memory Care and Arcy Hospice for taking care of our mom while she was with them.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087.

A gathering of Mrs. Brunson’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.