Margynel & the Bynums'
Remembering, Honoring and Celebrating the life of
Margynel Bynum Knusen January 30, 1925 - January 14, 2001
On Sunday, January 14, 2001, at 8:48 AM, Margynel Bynum Knutsen passed away from this physical world in Peace. She was surrounded by her four sons and she was surrounded by love. She had been diagnosed almost a year earlier with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and though she suffered greatly from the effects of this debilitating disease she continued to live with dignity and full of love. Margynel, born in Snyder Tx, devoted her life to the service of others, particularly children. She was a Missionary with the United Methodist Board of Missions in Malaysia from 1952 - 1976. Then, on staff with the Institute of Cultural Affairs she worked with disadvantaged adults and child education programs in Pace, MS; Chicago, IL; Dallas and Houston TX. In Houston, she was a co-founder of Avalon Academy, a non profit education center. She was a resident of Wimberly, TX from 1993 - 1998 while she was director of the county run Nurturing Program for at risk families in San Marcos. Before retiring in 1999, she worked with the Human Kindness Foundation in Mabane, SC, in their prisoner support and spiritual education program.
I will write the complete story of my mom soon. This was taken from a Facebook Post.
Our relationship was a complicated and rocky one during my early years. Because of my parents decision to join the Order:Ecumenical I only lived with her off and on for nine 1/2 years of my youth leaving me feeling abandoned, oppressed, physically, mentally and spiritually abused, and infused my early sinking into addictions and depression that I have struggled with all my life. The last time I spent a full year with her was my 4th grade and that was after being separated for a scattered two years during my first and second grades.
When I was 16 and I dropped out of my junior school year because my alcoholism and addictions were spinning out of control after I was injured in a car accident involving alcohol. I was sent to live with my mom for 6 months while the Order and my mom figured out what to do with me. During that time I began to get to know her and love her deeply again though I rebuked her once saying, “You gave up the right to be my mother.”
I did not live with her again until I was 22 and lost control of my life once more. I lived in the garage behind the Order Religious House for eight months while I tried to sober up and saved some money. During that time she helped me understand the importance of being on a spiritual journey of any kind. During that time she became my best friend and greatest supporter. I lived with her 2 other times as a young adult when I needed a place to reset and save money working temporary jobs. I always looked forward to being with her and surrounded and renewed by her love.
It was a blessing that I was able to spend the last month of her life caring for her or just being with her almost 24/7 - even after she lost all ability to communicate except for simple sign language. It was also a blessing that she knew she was surrounded by all four of her sons in the early morning of 1/14/01 when she took her last breath. My last communication with her that morning was when I told her that I loved her and she was able to touch her heart and reach out her hand to me. I described her last moments as if she was looking up and smiling at all of the angles dancing above her bed. I hope my passing can be a full of love as hers was.
Margynel Bynum Knutsen
and her family
My mama as a baby.
Bernice and Osco Bynum. This is how I will always remember them with love.
My grandfather's family.
My great grandmother.
And her husband.
Uncle Duane and Aunt Jacel
70th Birthday!
My mother was diagnosed with ALS about a year before she passed over. During that year my niece organized family and friends to walk in the ALS annual fundraising event. They were "Margy's Marchers"
Below are the two great loves of her life.
My mother in College. She is in the back of the photo on the left.
My mother and I when she visited the Shundahai Network house in Las Vegas in 1998. We were beginning to notice the symptoms that would be mis diagnosed for three years.
My aunt Jacel Dirickson. My moms best friend. She was convinced by my mom that to join the Order and, along with two cousins, was a member for a couple of years in the 70's. I loved her and miss her.
Grandpa-Interview.pdf