1935-44

Dr. Nathan Libby, BA ’36, MD ’36, of Great Neck, NY, died Nov. 22 at age 104.

May 22, 1913 - November 22, 2017, of Great Neck, NY. Devoted and beloved husband of Shirley Libby; father to Susan Siegel (Phillip), Jean Cartwright (Brian), Daniel Libby (Nancy Kemeny), Charles Libby (Carole Lerman), and James Libby (Sheri); grandfather of Lisa, Jennifer, Samantha, Grant, Eliot, Bryce, Jackie, Laura, Vicki, Ilana, Eve, Joanna, Jeffrey, Valerie, Rusty and Scotty; and great-grandfather of 17.

Nathan was a graduate of Baylor University where he played varsity football and received his M.D. He then served as Lieutenant Commander and surgeon in the U.S. Navy during WWII. During the war he met Shirley, and they were married for 72 years, until her death on November 28, 2016. Nathan was a founding physician of North Shore Hospital, now Northwell Health, and practiced medicine until age 81. Services will be held on November 26, 2017 at Riverside-Nassau North Chapel in Great Neck.

(Published in The New York Times on Nov. 26, 2017) 

Beatrice Wilbanks Myers, BA ’39, of Ridgeland, MS, died Nov. 19 at age 98.

Beatrice Wilbanks Myers, known as Bea by friends and as Nana by her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, died November 19, 2017, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. It is fitting that she, like her husband Charles, passed away on a Sunday, the day they had faithfully served the Lord in ministry for over seven decades of their lives. She was born to D.P. and Myrtle Puett Wilbanks on November 22, 1918, in Beaumont, Texas. The family moved to Paint Rock, Texas, when Bea was an infant, and she spent her entire childhood there, finishing as class valedictorian at Paint Rock High School, at age 16. From an early age, she had a definite interest in music, beginning with piano lessons, and started serving as her church pianist when she was twelve years old. That love of music was a constant all her life.

After graduation, Bea attended Baylor University, where she earned the Bachelor of Arts degree. While there she met her future husband, Charles Edward Myers, Th.D. They became friends while working with the Baptist Student Union on campus, while Charles served as its president and she as its organist. She played for the weekly Baptist Religious Hour during her entire college career. Upon graduation she returned to Paint Rock where she taught school briefly. She and Charles then married in 1942. Her marriage lasted 71 years until Charles’ death in 2013. Bea liked the role of a pastor’s wife. She was Charles’ helpmeet in all of the churches he pastored: the FBCs in Sulphur, OK, McKinney, TX, McAlester, OK, and Alta Woods Baptist in Jackson, MS. She was active in each church’s WMU, taught ladies’ Sunday School classes, and served as church organist at times. She especially enjoyed hosting in their home the pastors, missionaries and other guests who spoke in the churches. Her life touched many friends in each place of service. Some have often said that she was the perfect pastor’s wife. After their retirement, Charles and Bea found great satisfaction in serving as interim pastor of eight Baptist churches in Mississippi and twice in Germany. Their last place of service was at the Orchard Retirement Home in Ridgeland, where Charles organized and conducted Sunday worship and Bible studies on a volunteer basis, and she served as pianist.

Bea especially enjoyed her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Sellers, and her husband, Ron, of Pearl, MS. Her grandchildren include Scott (Susan) Sellers of Mountain Brook, AL; Susan (Tom) Perkins of Northport, AL; Stephen (Della) Sellers of Madison, MS; Melissa Sellers of Jackson, MS. Bea’s great-grandchildren are Reed and Ryan Perkins and Eli, Ethan, Ward, and Lane Sellers. It was a joy for Bea to babysit with the four grandchildren and then with the six great-grandsons, and felt blessed for the privilege of living nearby them and sharing good times with each one as they grew. She was proud of their academic, athletic, and social achievements. And in return, she blessed each of their lives with her love, grace, faith, wisdom, and kindness. Visitation for Bea will be at Alta Woods Baptist Church in Jackson MS, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, followed by a memorial worship service at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Entombment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park on Clinton Boulevard. Memorials may be made to the Mr. and Mrs. D.P. Wilbanks Memorial Scholarship at Baylor University, Waco, TX. Contact Rona McKinney at Rona_McKinney@baylor.edu or http://www.baylor.edu/SOE/scholarship.

Please visit www.baldwinleepearl.com to sign online guest register.

(Published in Clarion Ledger on Nov. 21, 2017)

Sterling H. Smith, ’39, of Mineral Wells, TX, died Dec. 28 at age 101.

Sterling Henry Smith, 101, passed away Dec. 28, 2017, in Mineral Wells. Service is 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. in Oakwood Cemetery in Waco. Members of Mineral Wells Masonic Lodge No. 611 will serve as pallbearers. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Monday at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home.

He was born March 15, 1916, in Waco, Texas, the son of James Henry and Henrietta Frances Ingram Smith. He married Margaret Louise Berry in October 1941 at Memorial Baptist Church, in Temple, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2005.

He was the purchasing agent at Randolph Air Force Base during the World War II years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells. He repaired and sold Singer sewing machines in Mineral Wells for many years, working for the Singer Company until retiring in 1974. He was very active in the Mineral Wells Senior Center and Mineral Wells Masonic Lodge No. 611. He was a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and the Mineral Wells Historical Society. He was also a member of the “Descendants of Austin’s Old Three Hundred.”

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael Berry and Cathy Smith, of Tulsa, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Max Zimmerman, of Houston; grandchildren, Stacey Lee Smith, of Franklin, Tenn., Prue Viscomi, of Houston, Margaret Emma Zimmerman, of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, and Michael Elizabeth Zimmerman, of Austin; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Geoffrey and Prue Noel Smith, of Franklin, Tenn.; sister-in-law, Nell Berry, of Universal City, Texas; three nieces; four nephews; and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews and great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mineral Wells Senior Center, Mineral Wells Center of Life or the charity of your choice in his memory. Leave condolences at www.bcbfuneralhome.com. Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home.

(Published in the Mineral Wells Index on January 2, 2018) 

Margaret Elizabeth Fitzgerald, BA ’40, MA ’57, of Palestine, TX, died Jan. 11 at age 99.

Funeral services for Margaret Elizabeth Fitzgerald will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church, Palestine, Texas with Rev. Tony Watson, Rev. Bill Connally, and Rev. Jimmie Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Palestine City Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey & Foster Funeral Home. Miss Fitzgerald passed away at Cartmell Home for Aged on January 11, 2018. Miss Fitzgerald was born November 11, 1918 in Palestine, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Boyd and Fannie Elizabeth Fitzgerald, brothers, Elmer, Roy and Maurice Fitzgerald and sisters, Ollie Waggoner, Eudell Seymour, Thelma Connally, Jewel Seeliger, and Julia Fitzgerald. She is survived by nephews, Frank Waggoner and wife Evelyn, Bill Connally and wife Vera Dale, and Donald Earl Seymour and niece Geraldene Adams and husband Jimmie. She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews, whom she loved very much.

Margaret graduated from Palestine High School, Lon Morris College and Baylor University with her Bachelor and Master degrees. She began her teaching career at Jacksonville and also taught English for three years in Sao-Paulo, Brazil. The majority of her career in public schools was with the Palestine Independent School District where she taught English and Public Speaking and was a counselor at the high school. She retired in 1989. She was a beloved teacher and counselor to hundreds of students for many years. Miss Fitzgerald was active in First Baptist Church serving as a Bible teacher and a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union for over 61 years. She accepted her Savior and was baptized on August 19, 1928 in the First Baptist Church, Palestine.

Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service. Pallbearers will be Ricky Naismith, David Ritchey, Willie Langston, and Steve Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Rogers, Jerry Mitchell, Bob Metteauer, Todd Staples and Rev. Jay Abernathy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Palestine, Lottie Moon Mission Offering or the Palestine High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Elizabeth Wilson, 1007 E. Park Ave. Palestine, TX. 75801. The family would like to thank the staff of Cartmell Home for Aged and Heart to Heart Hospice for the care given to her and to Mr. & Mrs. Rick Naismith for taking her to church for as long as she was able to attend. 

(Published by Bailey and Foster Funeral Home)

Margaret Mason Masters Griffin, ’40, of Fort Worth died Dec. 1 at age 98.

Services at the graveside will be held for Mrs. Margaret Mason masters Griffin, 98, of Kilgore, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017, in the Kilgore City Cemetery with Rev. David Hampton officiating. Mrs. Griffin completed her earthly journey on Friday, December 1, 2017, in Ft. Worth. Margaret was born on January 12, 1919, in Greenville, to B.E. and Carrie Mason Masters. The family lived in Paris and Amarillo before settling in Kilgore in 1935. It was in Kilgore High School that she met Dickson Leon Griffin, her future husband. Margaret attended Kilgore College and Baylor University. Margaret and Dick married on December 21, 1941, two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Except for the time that he was serving in the United States Army, Margaret and Dick resided in Kilgore for 62 years of married life. In 2012, she moved to Brookdale Westover and recently Clare Bridge where she lived until her passing.

Margaret taught Sunday school at the First Baptist Church in Kilgore for many years and was a member of the Samuel Paul Dinkins Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was knowledgeable of and collected antiques, enjoyed travelling and decorating. Margaret also loved spending time in her yard and taking care of her family pets. Left to cherish her memory are her children, daughters and a son-in-law, Susan and Weir Wilson of Fort Worth, Mandy Griffin of Fort Worth; sons and daughters-in-law, Leon and Verlyn Griffin of Fort Worth, Earl and Rocky Griffin of Lake Cherokee; grandchildren, Walker Wilson, Carrie Wilson, D.L. Griffin, III, Aaron Griffin, Alexa Griffin; eight great-grandchildren and a cousin Carolyn Downs. Preceding her death are her husband, Dick, grandson, Earl Griffin Jr. (Matt), her parents, and her soulmate and friend, Bart Crowley. The family owes special thanks to Gerald Zenick, Margaret’s exercise instructor for his dedication and friendship and to Angie Ramos for her dedicated care of Margaret.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Kilgore College, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore, Texas 75662 or to the charity of your choice.

(Published by Rader Funeral Home)

Daphne Davenport Hollingsworth, BA ’40, of Lubbock, TX, died Dec. 11 at age 97. 

Daphne Frances Davenport Hollingsworth was born February 9, 1920 in Dallas to Lillie Bishop Nance and Wallace Davenport, and died on December 11, 2017 in Lubbock. Her gravesite service will be January 2, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Plainview Memorial Park and a celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Lubbock. 

Daphne, known also as D.D. and Mimi, attended school in Plainview and was the first female drum major at Plainview High School. As a freshman at Wayland Baptist University, she continued as drum major of PHS. Always marching to the beat of her own drum, she wore pants and was placed on the prayer list at Wayland for that rebellious act. She then moved to Waco where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma and graduated from Baylor University with a degree in fine arts.

Not one to sit still, Daphne became a flight attendant for Braniff Airways. Her memories of the friendly skies included girdle and weight checks, and proper makeup requirements. She was once featured on a Braniff ad.

Daphne was an accomplished artist and painted countless portraits. She was known for painting everything blue that was not breathing, including phones, toilets and dings on her baby blue Buick Regal. Her painting of Coronado is displayed in the Floyd County Museum. Daphne was one of five founders of the Fine Arts Center in Plainview. She also was a teacher in Plainview and Tulia schools.

She was Plainview’s biggest cheerleader and was involved in many local organizations including Junior Service League, Plains Art Assn. (charter member and first president), Cultural Arts Council (director), Texas Retired Teachers Assn. (president), and Symphony Guild.
Daphne became a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in 1950 and served on the vestry, altar guild, altar garden and as house chairman. She joined St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Lubbock in the late 1990s.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother and idol James Wallace Davenport; son, David Hegi; and husband, Dr. Dorris O. Hollingsworth.

Mimi is survived by children Diana Azpurua and Shelley Kemp; grandchildren Susie Casal (Ernie), Melissa Pierce (Eric), Rudy Azpurua (Jody Mims), and Kelsey Kemp (Matt Bruehl); great-grandchildren John Paul and Nicholas Casal, Caroline Pierce, and Bailey, Cami, Lexi and Brody Azpurua; and other loved ones, Jim Davenport (Sally), Claire Doyle, Lindsey Davenport.

Her family has immense gratitude for the love shown to Daphne by her treasured caregivers at South Haven Assisted Living and Accolade Hospice. They treated her like family.

Daphne had a love for animals that carried on to her family.

She requested memorials to Paws Pet Adoption, PO Box 1605, Plainview, TX 79073. (Published by Bartley Funeral Home)

Louise Stringer Latimer, BM ’41, of Hallsville, TX, died Dec. 16 at age 97.

Louise Latimer was born on November 29, 1920, in Beaumont, Texas, to Meyers and Jessie Stringer. She spent her early years in Beaumont, where she attended South Park schools. She graduated from Beaumont High School, then taught music in the South Park Independent School District for 41 years. She graduated from Baylor University, where she met the man she later married, Philip Latimer, who became a math professor at Lamar University.

After the second World War, Louise and her husband went to Denton, Texas, where she earned her master’s degree in music. While there, she learned to play the harp. She gave private instruction in harp and taught harp and music in the South Park schools. She also conducted a state-recognized harp ensemble, played harp in the Beaumont Symphony, and often performed at churches and for other groups.

They attended First Baptist and Calder Baptist churches in Beaumont. She directed children’s choirs at both churches. She was involved in music education in various ways her entire life.

In later years, she moved to Hallsville, Texas, to be near one of her daughters. She attended First Baptist Church, Hallsville, where she made many friends.

After a short illness, she died Saturday, December 16, 2017. She is survived by two daughters, Carole Hanna and Martha Blain, and their husbands, Danny Hanna and Rob Blain, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017. A memorial service will be held in Hallsville at a later date. 

(Published by Longview News-Journal)

Bette Gough Slade, BA ’42, of Henderson, TX, died Jan. 4 at age 96.

Memorial services for Bette Gough Slade will be held Tuesday, January 9th at 2:00 PM at The Church at Lake Cherokee at 11968 FM 2011 E., Henderson, TX (between Silvey Bridge and FM 1716) with Rev. Bill Smythe and Fr. Mike Maxwell officiating. Services will be under the direction of Rader Funeral Home with private entombment held at Rosewood Park Mausoleum. A reception will be held following the memorial service in Maxwell Hall adjacent to the church. She was a greeter at The Church at Lake Cherokee for many years. She died in the morning of January 4, 2018. Bette was born on Easter Sunday March 27, 1921 and felt that God guided her throughout her life.

She was the daughter of Carl Herbert and Porter Lucile Gough. She attended public school in Waco, Los Angeles Junior College in California and graduated from Baylor University in 1942. She received her Golden Diploma in 1992.

After graduation she worked for the U. S. District Engineers building Blackland Army Airfield. Later, she was transferred to Alberta Canada to help build the Alcan Highway. When the 33rd Flying Training Wing came to Waco, she was secretary to General Luther Smith.

She married Frank Hearin Slade, whom she met at Baylor, after he returned from overseas duty on November 18, 1945. He knew he would marry her after one dance. They came to Longview as a partner in the family owned Turpie Slade’s Men and Boys Store. She was active in Camp Fire Girls Programs and a den mother for Boy Scouts of America. She served on many committees and offices of the Jaycettes. She was a charter member of the Camellia Garden Club, organized in her home in 1953. She was the second woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and remained on the Public Relations Committee for many years. She owned Welcome Services and was the City Hostess for 30 years before retiring in 1991. She welcomed thousands of new residents to Longview and introducing them to local businesses and loved being recognized by those she welcomed through the years.

During her leadership of the Newcomers Club, she developed many activities for new residents. For her devotion, she was voted Woman of the Year by a local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

Frank and Bette were original shareholders when Lake Cherokee was formed. She drew the lot number of their first lot from the fish bowl in 1947. In 1956, they bought the lot where they would spend weekends with their boys and then build their home in 1977 where she lived out her life. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Slade, her parents Lucile and Carl Herbert Gough of Ruidoso, New Mexico, her sister Eldon Claire Brooks of Waco, her sister Dorothy Palmer and her nephew, Joe Brooks of Marietta, GA.

Survivors include son Frank G. “Chip” and Dianne Slade of Spring Branch, Texas and son Charles H. “Chuck” and Ann Slade of Houston, Texas, granddaughter Hearin Gough Slade Schmitt and her husband Paul, and great granddaughters Emmerich Anne, Porter Elizabeth, and Vivian Slade Schmitt of College Station, Texas. She is also survived by niece Missy and Sam Lanham, niece Deedee and Tom Howard, and nephew John Cree and Judy Palmer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the Salvation Army or to the charity of your choice. (Published by Rader Funeral Homes)

Edith Blackwell, BA ’43, of Albuquerque, NM, died Dec. 3 at age 95.

Edith Alice Blackwell completed her life’s journey on December 3, 2017. She was born on February 24, 1922 in Seneca, NM, where her family homesteaded in 1907. Edith was one of eight children born to Garrett and Lucy Blackwell. Her brother, Bert Blackwell and his wife, Barbara, along with a number of nieces and nephews, survive Edith. Her family and her friends at Manzano Del Sol and St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church community will miss her smile. In her quiet way, Edith enjoyed being with her friends and family. She was a loyal friend and loved her family. Edith attended schools in Seneca and Clayton, NM, and Baylor University. She took pride in her work as a secretary at the school administration offices in Clayton, Las Cruces, and Albuquerque. Edith enjoyed music, and when she was able, playing the piano.

Her family is especially grateful for the care she had at Manzano Del Sol, and for her friend and caregiver, Tara Graham. Cremation has taken place. Memorial Services celebrating Edith’s life will be held Monday, December 11, 2017, 2:00 p.m., in the chapel at Manzano Del Sol, 5201 Roma Ave. NE, with Pastor Rachael Powell officiating. A reception in the Courtyard Cafe will follow the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 211 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Please visit our online guestbook for Edith at www.FrenchFunerals.com. (Published in Albuquerque Journal)

Katharine Brister Lockhart, BA ’43, of Hearne, TX, died Dec. 14 at age 96.

Katharine Elizabeth Brister Lockhart, 96, of Hearne entered heaven to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Katharine was born on December 11, 1921, in Taylor, Texas, to Robert H. Brister and Ruby Irene Neal Brister. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Waco, Texas, where she grew up. Katharine received her Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, Master’s degree from Sam Houston State University, and her Supervisory Counseling and Vocational Counseling certifications from Texas A&M University. On June 10, 1952, she married Shirley M. (Pete) Lockhart and moved to Hearne, Texas, and began teaching in Hearne High School. She served as a teacher, and later as Counselor, at Hearne High School until retiring in 1987. On July 24, 1986 she married Cecil N. Lockhart.

Katharine’s life was one of service--service to the Lord, and service to others. She served in many areas at First Baptist Church, volunteered on the Robertson County Child Protective Services Board, served as the secretary and treasurer of the Norwood Cemetery Association, and was Director of Call-For-Help. She recently received the 2017 RSVP Volunteer of the Year award for the Brazos Valley area.

Katharine is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Pete Lockhart, Cecil Lockhart, brother Robert Andrew Brister, and Scott Lockhart. She is survived by family Bart and Luanne Lockhart, Cecil Paul and Del Marie Lockhart, Jodi and Mark Cochran and children Tarah and Travis, Shannon and David Ryan and children Nicholas and Jacob, Heather and Patrick Tessman and children Rayli, Brayden and Hunter. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 am Monday, December, 18, with a celebration of Katharine’s life beginning at 11:00 at First Baptist Church in Hearne. Interment at Suggs Cemetery, Blackjack community.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be to First Baptist Church, Hearne, and Call-for-Help, Hearne. (Published by The Eagle)

Eleanor Lee Harris, ’44, of Tyler, TX, died Jan. 21 at age 94.

Eleanor Lee Harris left this earthly life to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her beloved husband, Marion Miller Harris on Sunday, January 21, 2018 in Tyler, Texas. She was born October 6, 1923 in Mason, Texas to Albert G. Lee and Alfreda Tips Lee. She grew up in Sweetwater, Texas in a musical family and began taking piano lessons at age 5. All through school she was active in music, drama, tennis, and swimming and youth activities at her church. During high school years, she began organ lessons and was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended the St. Louis Institute of Music and then Baylor University, where she majored in piano, also taking harp, organ and cello lessons. She became a member of Mu Phi Epsilon fraternity for music majors and served as president of Phi Beta Mu, Baylor music fraternity, was a member of the Athenean Sorority and was selected two years as a Baylor Beauty. On July 1, 1944 Eleanor married Marion Harris, a Baptist pastor and served faithfully as a pastor’s wife in churches in Live Oak, Devers, Mineola, Marshall, Jefferson and New Colony, Texas. She was always very active in church life, serving as pianist or organist, teaching adult Sunday school and leading Girls’ Auxiliary. She lead each church’s Women’s Missionary Union and held state offices in Texas WMU. She was active in the Marshall Music Club for many years, serving as president and other offices. She sold pianos and organs through Tyler Baldwin Co. and managed their Baldwin store in Marshall for several years. She was also a lifetime member of PEO.

Eleanor was very accomplished, but always said her greatest joy and her life work was sharing in the ministry with her husband in each of the churches he pastored for over 62 years until his death in 2006. At that time she moved from Jefferson to Tyler and lived at Rosewood Estates. Eleanor is survived by two sons; Tom Harris and wife, Anna Kay of Waco, Texas and Tim Harris and wife, Becky of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren include; Lance Harris and wife, Kira of Waco, Texas and children Emma, Jack and Hearon; Holly Harris Stump and husband, Matt of Waco, Texas; Stephanie Harris Pool and husband, Michael and children Keaton and Tucker of Plano, Texas; Paul Harris and wife, Nadji and children Kiana and Ave of Baytown, Texas. A Celebration of Eleanor Lee Harris’ Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Corley Funeral Home in Corsicana, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Marion M. Harris Scholarship Fund, c/o Truett Seminary, One Bear Place #97126, Waco, Texas 76798. An online guestbook is available at www.corleyfuneralhome.com and selecting the Eleanor Lee Harris obituary.

(Published by the Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Mary Farrow Long, BA ’44, MA ’65, of Belton, TX, died Jan. 20 at age 95.

After a long, full, and happy life, Mary Cole Farrow Long died on January 20, 2018, at age 95. Born in Dallas, Texas, on October 1, 1922, to Ernest Eugene and Sadie Flynn Boone Farrow. Mary was predeceased by her husband of sixty-six years, Dr. William Bowman Long. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, as well as two additional generations of offspring: Dr. William Farrow Long and wife, Kathryn Fagan Long, Daryl Elizabeth Long Edwards and husband, Thomas David Edwards, Dr. Robert John Long and wife, Penny Sue Gullo Long, Dr. Linda Sue Long Fletcher and husband, Michael Steven Fletcher; 12 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her Brother, Edwin Moore Farrow of Dallas and sisters-in-law, Genie Watkins Farrow and Doris Mann Farrow.

After receiving her MA from Baylor in 1965, Mary began an 18 career teaching English at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. During her tenure there, Mary taught Freshman and Sophomore English, Creative Writing, and sponsored the literary magazine, The Baylorian. She retired in 1983. After retiring from at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Mary put into practice what she had been teaching and wrote four books of genealogy on the Cole, Boone, Farrow, and Long families. In 1997, she and her husband, Will Long were co-authors of a history of the Nose Brotherhood at Baylor University from its founding in 1926 to 1965. Honors Mary has received include being named by the Central Texas Chapter of the Baylor Alumni Association as its first Distinguished Baylor Woman in 1994. Mary and Will received the Baylor University Founders Medal in 2004 and the Herbert H. Reynolds Meritorious Service Award in 2005. They also received the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995.

A Celebration of Mary Long’s life will be held at First Baptist Church, Belton, TX on January 27, 2018 at 11 am. Interment will follow at 3pm at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, TX. The family will greet friends before the Celebration in the Foyer at First Baptist Church. Dossman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, if Memorials are desired, the family suggests a donation to the Will and Mary Long Presidential Endowed Scholarship at Baylor University (Office of University Development, One Bear Place # 97050, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798 – 7050) or the Long-Fagan Presidential Endowed Scholarship at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UHMB, Box 8433, Belton, TX 76513).

(Published by the Waco Tribune-Herald)

Mary Curtis Wallace, ’44, of Louisville, KY, died Jan. 7 at age 95.

Wallace, Mary Curtis, 95, died January 7, 2018. She was born October 29, 1922 in Lexington, Kentucky to the late John James and May Peak Curtis. She graduated from Henry Clay High School. She initially attended Baylor University, but went on to graduate from Wheaton College, Magna Cum Laude. After teaching English at Lafayette Junior High School for several years, she married the love of her life, Rev. John T. Wallace, Jr. in 1947. They moved to Hennessey, OK where she continued to teach high school English. After John accepted the pastorate of the Felix Memorial Baptist Church (later known as Parkway Baptist Church) in Lexington, Mary served as a substitute teacher in the Fayette County Public Schools for 25 years. Most important to her were her roles as mother and minister’s wife. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Bible classes for over 50 years. She was an active leader in the Baptist WMU at the local and state levels. After John’s retirement, she was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church. She served as a board member and president of the PTA and later worked as Area Coordinator for AISE student exchange program. She did private tutoring and was a volunteer English teacher with the International Friendship Program. Known for her sweet and kind manner, she loved cooking, antiques and playing the piano. She was profoundly proud of her Kentucky ancestry and the state’s heritage. She lived a life of unwavering faith, prayer, love and service.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, John T. Wallace, Jr., her son John T. Wallace, III, her sister Martha Langdon, and her brother Jack Curtis. She is survived by her children, James C. Wallace (Barton) and Fern Woods (Charles); grandchildren Lindsey Ford (Edward), Ashley Wenaas (Matthew), Hayley Riccio (Felipe), John and Alison Woods; great grandchildren Amelia and Reece Ford, Annalise, Bennett and Caroline Wenaas; as well as sister Dorothy Curtis Burt. The family would like to express sincere thanks to all the loving and dedicated people who cared for Mary in her final years, especially those at Oaklawn and Elmcroft. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 20, 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 150 East High Street, officiated by Dr. Bob Baker, with burial following at Lexington Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, January 19, 4:00-7:30 p.m. at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 East Main Street, as well as on Saturday at the church before the funeral from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Missions Fund of either Calvary Baptist Church or Parkway Baptist Church.

(Published in Lexington Herald-Leader)