1928
Mary
2016
Mary E. McLemore
October 16, 1928 — July 6, 2016
Mary Elizabeth McLemore left to continue her conversation with the Lord above on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. In life, as we are sure in death, Mary is meeting and greeting everyone whom God has placed in her path. She’s hugging, laughing and catching everyone in heaven up on everyone she has left behind.
Mary was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma October 16, 1928. Growing up during the Great Depression she traveled with her family where her father found work. This made her treasure her four siblings even more as they were guaranteed true friends with each new home along the way. Being the oldest Mary naturally fell into the role of being a second mother to her younger siblings; Elvin (Olga) O’Bryan Jr., Charles (Marjie) O’Bryan, Doris (Gilbert) Bird and Don (Diane) Argentiero.
On one of those moves to South Texas, Mary met her husband, Clayton McLemore, of Santa Rosa. They married on May 2, 1947 and celebrated 52 years together. Mary loved being a wife and later on a mother to her three greatest gifts, Alice Jeanne (Ebon) Jones, Steven (Ann) McLemore and Tom (Martha) McLemore. It wasn’t until her grandchildren started arriving that she changed her tune a bit and fell in love even harder with each one as they came along; Suzann (Joey) Soto, Vickey (Scott) Hill, Thomas Clayton (Erika) McLemore, Stephanie Jeanne Jones, Zachary (Kelly) McLemore, Steven (Rachel) McLemore, Lisa McLemore and Joshua McLemore. Each one knew when visiting Granny they could make a trip to the “special drawer” where she kept a stash of everything from candy, gum or whatever little treasure she’d found to put in there. Granny later hinted and teased as the grandchildren married that she couldn’t wait to meet her great-grandchildren which she did; Logan, Tyler, Tristan, Mackenzie, Maya and Sawyer McLemore. Granny loved holding a baby in her arms. You could watch her eyes light up and her worries melt away as she did. If she was here with us now she’d probably be telling you all, 6 is not nearly enough ‘great grands’ in her subtle way.
Mary always said that raising a family was one of her greatest blessings. She also noted that her favorite job was being a greeter at the Valley Diagnostic Clinic. There she gave out smiles, hugs and a warm welcome while helping patients find their way, sometimes even sitting and chatting to help ease their anxiety or pass the time while waiting.
When her family wasn’t keeping her busy Mary was a custom seamstress making everything from cheerleading outfits to prom dresses, Halloween costumes to Alice Jeanne’s wedding dress. Next she and Clayton changed gears after his retirement and discovered Round and Square Dancing which Mary later taught and cued at RV Parks all around the Valley for 11 years.
Even during Mary’s illness she was making new friends. Sherre Koepke, her caregiver and companion, instantly fit into the family and was a blessing to us all.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton McLemore and daughter, Alice Jeanne Jones, brother, Chuck O’Bryan, sister, Doris Bird and parents Opal Lucille Kochendarfer O’Bryan and Elvin Perry O’Bryan.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 11, 2016 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Payne officiating. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church 321 E. Harrison Harlingen, TX 78550 or the charity of your choice.
Pallbearers are Mary’s grandsons: Thomas (Clay) McLemore, Zachary McLemore, Steven McLemore, Joshua McLemore, Joey Soto, and Alan Bernstein.
The music being played is by Mary’s nephew, Rusty Bird of Ohio.
Mary was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma October 16, 1928. Growing up during the Great Depression she traveled with her family where her father found work. This made her treasure her four siblings even more as they were guaranteed true friends with each new home along the way. Being the oldest Mary naturally fell into the role of being a second mother to her younger siblings; Elvin (Olga) O’Bryan Jr., Charles (Marjie) O’Bryan, Doris (Gilbert) Bird and Don (Diane) Argentiero.
On one of those moves to South Texas, Mary met her husband, Clayton McLemore, of Santa Rosa. They married on May 2, 1947 and celebrated 52 years together. Mary loved being a wife and later on a mother to her three greatest gifts, Alice Jeanne (Ebon) Jones, Steven (Ann) McLemore and Tom (Martha) McLemore. It wasn’t until her grandchildren started arriving that she changed her tune a bit and fell in love even harder with each one as they came along; Suzann (Joey) Soto, Vickey (Scott) Hill, Thomas Clayton (Erika) McLemore, Stephanie Jeanne Jones, Zachary (Kelly) McLemore, Steven (Rachel) McLemore, Lisa McLemore and Joshua McLemore. Each one knew when visiting Granny they could make a trip to the “special drawer” where she kept a stash of everything from candy, gum or whatever little treasure she’d found to put in there. Granny later hinted and teased as the grandchildren married that she couldn’t wait to meet her great-grandchildren which she did; Logan, Tyler, Tristan, Mackenzie, Maya and Sawyer McLemore. Granny loved holding a baby in her arms. You could watch her eyes light up and her worries melt away as she did. If she was here with us now she’d probably be telling you all, 6 is not nearly enough ‘great grands’ in her subtle way.
Mary always said that raising a family was one of her greatest blessings. She also noted that her favorite job was being a greeter at the Valley Diagnostic Clinic. There she gave out smiles, hugs and a warm welcome while helping patients find their way, sometimes even sitting and chatting to help ease their anxiety or pass the time while waiting.
When her family wasn’t keeping her busy Mary was a custom seamstress making everything from cheerleading outfits to prom dresses, Halloween costumes to Alice Jeanne’s wedding dress. Next she and Clayton changed gears after his retirement and discovered Round and Square Dancing which Mary later taught and cued at RV Parks all around the Valley for 11 years.
Even during Mary’s illness she was making new friends. Sherre Koepke, her caregiver and companion, instantly fit into the family and was a blessing to us all.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton McLemore and daughter, Alice Jeanne Jones, brother, Chuck O’Bryan, sister, Doris Bird and parents Opal Lucille Kochendarfer O’Bryan and Elvin Perry O’Bryan.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 11, 2016 at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Payne officiating. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church 321 E. Harrison Harlingen, TX 78550 or the charity of your choice.
Pallbearers are Mary’s grandsons: Thomas (Clay) McLemore, Zachary McLemore, Steven McLemore, Joshua McLemore, Joey Soto, and Alan Bernstein.
The music being played is by Mary’s nephew, Rusty Bird of Ohio.
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