Mary Mabry

Mary Ellen Rayburn Mabry, 84, peacefully went home to the Lord, Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Mary Ellen was born on the family farm in Wynne, AR, January 25, 1932, to George Binford Rayburn Sr. and Hester Elzy Copeland Rayburn. She was George and Hester's second born and the oldest girl of their six children. Mary Ellen also remained close to her half-brother, George Jr., from her father's first marriage, until his passing. She and her family lived in Rosebud, TX until 1942 then relocated to Houston where they ran a family business. Mary Ellen graduated from Sam Houston High School and Elliott Business College in Houston. She continued her education at South Texas Jr. College while working for Phillips Petroleum. She met her husband, Houston attorney, Frank C. Mabry Jr., while attending school. Their marriage ended in the early 60's and she never remarried. Truly an independent woman, in 1955, Mary Ellen began buying rental property and formed a real estate investment company called Mary Mabry Investment Co. In 1965, she seized the opportunity to travel all over the world by accepting a job with the private travel club, Air Ventures. This was one of the highlights of her life. Her love for the real estate business later led her to a career in the mortgage business. She also enjoyed teaching evening real estate classes at College of the Mainland in Texas City. She retired in the early 90's and followed her daughters to Katy, TX in 2001. Her final years were spent in a loving private care home, Supreme Residential Home, in Richmond, TX, owned by Lola and Adrian Adebo. Most will remember Mary Ellen as a storyteller, who loved to tell entertaining stories about the "good ol' days". She loved genealogy and devoted many hours visiting relatives, libraries and cemeteries learning about her roots. Friends and family were so very important to her and she relished visits from each of her loved ones. Mary is survived by one brother, Sam Rayburn of Horn Lake, MS; sister-in-law, Linda Rayburn of Spring, TX; brother-in-law, Billy Kendall of San Marcos, TX; her daughters, Donna Kay Woodard of Spring, TX and Glenda "Jinx" Hayden and husband Ron of Katy, TX; stepdaughters, Sandra Edinger of Bellville, IL, Mary Jo Stone of Houston, TX, Elizabeth Ann Mabry Carter and husband John of Manor, TX, India Sue Luke and husband Edward of Georgetown, TX; stepsons, Frank C. Mabry III and wife Donna of Cedar Park, TX, Richard A. Mabry of Orange, TX; grandchildren, Heather Hebert of Spring, TX, Eric Woodard and wife Jessica of San Antonio, TX, Matthew Hayden and wife Kimberly of Tyler, TX, Megan James and husband Tyler of Richmond, TX; Billy Woodard and wife Kim of Spring, TX, Sommer Day of Houston, TX, Rachel Leon and husband Marlon of Highlands, TX. She was blessed with many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, all of whom she thought of as her own. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George Binford Rayburn Jr. and his wife Virginia, William "Billy" Rayburn, Jack Rayburn and Robert Rayburn; her sister, Sandra Kendall. A celebration of Mary Ellen's life will be held at 9 am on Sunday, November 13th at Brookwood Community in the Chapel located at 1752 FM 1489 - Brookshire, TX 77423. (Exit 731 west of Katy off I-10, south on 1489, the chapel is just beyond the Café on right) In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Brookwood Community and/or Hospice Vantage in Katy. Through the Grace of God... The Brookwood Community provides an educational environment that creates meaningful jobs, builds a sense of belonging, and demands dignity and respect for adults with special needs. • Your Brookwood Community memorial donation in Mary Ellen's name can be made online: http://www.brookwoodcommunity.org/getinvolved/ , by mail to: The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489 - Brookshire, TX 77423, or at the service. • A memorial donation to Vantage Hospice Katy can be mailed to: 21720 Kingsland Blvd, Suite 301 - Katy, TX 77450.

Service Information

November 13, 2016 9:00am, Brookwood Community Chapel

Details:

Service Extra Info (Exit 731 west of Katy off I-10, south on 1489, the chapel is just passed the Café on the right.)