Gene Malone Byars' Obituary
On Nov 7th Margie Gene Malone Byars went peacefully to Heaven. Margie Gene Malone was born on 2.28.25 in Wylie Texas, the daughter of Gene & Daisy Malone. Margie grew up in Garland Texas with her sister Edith (Wheatley). Their parents, Gene & Daisy were lifelong residents of Garland Texas where they opened the first restaurant in Garland, Malone’s. Margie, Edith, Gene, and Daisy all lived on First Street in a white frame house on the main street into town near the town square. When Gene closed the restaurant, Gene became a Sales Director for Restland Funeral Home in Dallas for many years. Growing up at the Malone house was always very active. Gene and Daisy knew everyone in town and it was a center of daily activity in Garland. Daisy always had a pot of beans and cornbread for anyone who may be hungry (an early soup kitchen for all including people passing through town), plus they had a large parlor with dance floor and a piano for fun gatherings, and they had the only storm cellar in town in their backyard where everyone in the neighborhood would gather for storms and share stories. Margie was an excellent student, a pianist, wonderful daughter, sister and friend to all. Margie was incapable of being mean to anyone and was always ready to help anyone with anything. Margie was in one of the first Marching Bands at Garland High School and a member of every club in school, graduating from Garland High School in 1942. In the summer of her senior year, Margie met her future husband, Hoyt Byars at the Garland swimming center. Hoyt & Margie were married in 1943 as Hoyt prepared to ship out to fly combat missions in WWII. Hoyt and Margie had two children, Annette & Steve who survive them along a three grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren they were very proud of. Hoyt and Margie had a wonderful marriage lasting 70 years until Hoyt’s passing in 2013. Margie and Hoyt were members of the First Baptist Church in Garland and performed many hours of charitable and volunteer work within the community. Both Hoyt & Margie were active in the Garland VFW where Hoyt served as Post Commander and Margie as President of the Women’s Group. Margie was known as a generous and kind person who was liked by everyone she ever met, was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and who was the pillar of the Byars family, always supportive of each of us whenever we needed help, advice, or a comforting place to go to.
What’s your fondest memory of Malone?
What’s a lesson you learned from Malone?
Share a story where Malone's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Malone you’ll never forget.
How did Malone make you smile?