Lurena Sue Zavertnik

Lurena Sue Zavertnik, 81 passed away on Sunday, October 31st, 2021, visited and surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation, during which the family requests that masks be worn, with the family will be Thursday, November 11th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel, A Bell Ceremony will be performed at 10 a.m. by the Lone Star Santas with Santa Jim Fletcher officiating at Brenham Memorial Chapel. There will be kolaches, donuts and coffee provided in the morning, courtesy of the Barney Family.

A very brief, informal graveside service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery on Friday, November 12th at 11a.m. Gather in the parking lot at 10:30 a.m. The Houston National Cemetery is located at 10410 Veteran's Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas. Family and friends are invited to stop by the Gringo's restaurant, as we will have a dutch treat lunch there after the burial. It is located at 6925 Cypresswood Dr. Suite G, Spring TX. The phone number there is 281-376-7800.

Lurena Sue Chumbley was born on March 27th, 1940 to Bessie Ophelia Jones and Jim Chumbley in Whitesboro Texas. She grew up in Houston Texas, along with younger siblings Alta Faye Carson (Stokley) and Ray Carson. She met Robert Piazza Jr. and married in 1956. The next year she had a daughter, Susan Kay Piazza and in 1965 she gave birth to their son, Steven Robert Piazza. In 1970, they moved to Bellville, Texas and she went to work for Ranch King Trailers, Here she made life- long friends with Cuba and Mary Burleson.

Later she held various positions at Woolco, Woolworths and other retail stores, making her way into management positions. She was an active member in American Business Women holding positions within the organization. She was instrumental in and always an advocate of obtaining a good education for her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren.

She met the love of her life, Gilbert Arthur Zavertnik and married in 1982. Since Gilbert loved being Santa Claus since childhood, she happily joined him as Mrs. Claus and they joined the Lone Star Santas. This group did charity work bringing smiles to children in natural disaster areas and these wonderful Santas became dear friends to both of them. They truly lived "the Spirit of Christmas"!

Lurena's loving family includes: children Steven Piazza, Susan Piazza McGee, Darlene Zavertnik, Robin Zavertnik and Forrest Zavertnik; grandchildren Sean Austin McGee, Jonathan Kent McGee, Kelly Porter, Chrissie Morales, Amy Barney, Wayne Dailey, Michelle Garcia, Ryan Zavertnik and Austin Zavertnik; great grandchildren Campbell Ann Griffin, Adelaide Griffin, Brittani Bartnik, Cierra Bouren, Paige Ngo, Jaysen McKenna, Madelyn McKenna, Madison Hoang, Luke Dills-Dailey, Ronnie Dailey, August Zavertnik, LaRue Zavertnik, Lincoln Zavertnik, Odin Zavertnik; and great-grandchild Graham Bartnik; her sister Alta Faye Stokley and brother Ray. Also her in-laws Leonard and Margaret Zavertnik, Arlene Zimmer, nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Pallbearers will be Sean McGee, Charles Barney, Jaysen McKenna, Vel Garcia, Duc Hoang and Jonathan McGee. Honorary pallbearers will be Steven Piazza, Wayne Dailey, Bill Evans, Forrest Zavertnik, Kurt Young and Steven Mikeska.

Lurena is preceded in death by her parents Bessie Ophelia Weaver and Jim Chumbley; and husband Gilbert Zavertnik.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to non-profit group Lone Star Santas at www.LoneStarSantas.org