Byrd Ann Bromser

Byrd Ann Bromser passed away February 23, 2016, in Gatesville, TX, at age 89. A memorial service will be held April 7, 2016, at 4:00 P.M. at Scott’s Funeral Home, 2425 Main Street, Gatesville, TX. She was born Bird Ann in Waco, TX, on December 21, 1926, the youngest child of Sheriff Walter Warren Hollingsworth and Willie Birdie Ridens Hollingsworth. She always laughed that her first home was the Coryell County jail. Bird Ann (She changed the spelling to Byrd and was later called Mama Byrd and Big Byrd.) was seven years old when her father died as result of an injury in the line of duty. Her mother was appointed Sheriff to serve out the remainder of his term. Byrd Ann loved learning and spent many hours among her father’s books and eventually worked as a Library Assistant at the Gatesville Public Library. Like many other young girls in Gatesville, she welcomed the soldiers from Fort Hood into town during World War II. She was only 16 when she met 1st Lt. Paul Francis Bromser of Los Angeles, CA, at the skating rink; and their wartime romance quickly moved to marriage on August 8, 1943. Little did they dream they would enjoy 62 years together until his death in 2005. The following years found her frequently moving with him during his Army career. She lived in Gatesville during the three years of his Korean POW internment never giving up hope that he would return alive and well. Following his return and a few years’ assignment at Fort Hood, they moved to Erlangen, Germany, where she was President of the Officers’ Wives Club. Although she was anxious about the move, she said later that it was the most exciting time of her life. Back in Gatesville, she joined several organizations and held leadership roles including President of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She volunteered in PTA, as an election judge, and at Coryell Memorial Hospital. Her church home was the First Baptist Church of Gatesville. She always enjoyed sewing clothes ranging from doll dresses to dance costumes to her daughters’ wardrobes. Her needlework and quilts won numerous awards. Byrd Ann was very proud of achieving two long-time goals: earning her GED 30 years after leaving high school and visiting England after meeting a soldier who spoke with a British accent. She loved movies, especially those starring Charleston Heston. Her musical favorites included Englebert Humperdink, Willie Nelson and Celtic Thunder. An avid reader, her chair-side table always held a stack of books. Clothes and fashion were important, especially shoes -- a trait she passed to her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters. Cooking didn’t appeal to her; but she relished eating Mexican dishes, shrimp and chocolate-covered-cherry candy. Cats, cats, cats – everyone knew she was a cat lover. Her extensive thimble collection included a set of the British Royal Family. Her numerous friends included a keno club that met monthly for more than 30 years. She was always at bingo after moving to The Oaks and then to The Meadows. As her memory failed, she began saving her bingo winnings for “taking a trip when Paul comes home from the war.” Family ranked first with Byrd Ann including four daughters and their families. Holidays brought her out-of-town siblings and their families to the Bromser home for decades. She also enjoyed visiting her daughters in their homes in Virginia and England. Always a small-town girl, she eagerly travelled to Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, London, Paris and Rome. Other travel adventures featured rock hounding in Arizona and New Mexico. Byrd Ann was predeceased by her parents; her husband Paul Bromser; two sisters, Grace Page and Willie Mae Frazer; one step-sister, Luna Roberts; four brothers, W. W. Hollingsworth, Jr. (Dub), Connally Hollingsworth, Pat Hollingsworth and Dan Hollingsworth; daughter Paula Galvan; granddaughter Bradie Robertson; and sister-in-law and best friend Ella Hollingsworth. Survivors include daughters Sherry Scott of Knoxville, TN and Bob Scott of Austin, TX; Leah Bromser-Kloeden and husband Marty of Purcellville, VA; and April Robertson and husband Randy of Gatesville. Grandchildren are Kelly Scott Nelson and husband David of Knoxville, TN; Christopher Scott and fiancée Eva DeAngelis of Hawthorne, NJ; Susannah Easley Kerns and husband John of Glen Allen, VA; Jeb Easley of Johnson City, TN; Elyse Bromser-Kloeden and fiancée Tim Curry of McKinney, TX; Gareth Bromser-Kloeden of Richmond, VA; Taryn Bromser-Kloeden of Harrisonburg, VA; and Payton and Sydnie Robertson of Gatesville. Great-grandchildren are Madeline and Olivia Nelson, Lily and John (Jake) Kerns, and Walker and Alexander (Alex) Easley. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. The family thanks the staff at The Oaks and The Meadows and Gentiva Hospice for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 2415 South 47th Street, Temple, TX 76504 or www.rmhc-temple.com.