Mary Leatha Wheatley Stringfield

Mary Letha Wheatley Stringfield, 97 of Harlingen, Texas graduated to heaven Octobre 3, 2024. Mary was born on April 24 1927 in Harlingen Texas to Alonzo Thomas and Hettie Alice Withers. 

Mary’s early years were spent growing up with her six brothers and sisters out on the family farm in the Harlingen area known as Stuart Place. After graduating from Tivy High School in Kerrville, Mary attended Durham Business school in Austin.

After Durham business she moved back to Harlingen and worked at Days Drug store and Bakers shoe store. Days drug store was where Mary met her future husband, James Wheatley. In 1949, Mary and Jim married out at the Stuart Place family home. They were blessed with two sons James H. Wheatley II (1951) and Laurence A. Wheatley (1952). 

In 1955 Mary and Jim bought Bishop Drug store, which they operated until 1965. In August 1967 the Wheatleys packed up and moved to Australia. April 1970 found the Wheatleys back in Harlingen where Mary worked with Flynn Investment. Mary and Jim continued to travel while living in Harlingen and Port Isabel until Jim’s passing in 1993.

After Jim’s passing, Mary would travel with her set of friends from Outdoors Resorts in Port Isabel. In 2006 Mary met and married William Stringfield and they continued to live in Port Isabel until his passing in 2008. When Mary finally had to slow down, due to her failing health, she moved to Harlingen (Combs) to live with her oldest son James Wheatley II. 

Mary was active in the Eastern Star, Daughters of the American Revolution and various Methodist church groups.

Mary is survived by James H Wheatley II and his son James H. Wheatley III (Trae), Larry Wheatley his wife Cathy and their daughter Laurel. Mary is also survived by her sister Alice Pauline Bloom (Polly). Mary also was blessed with 13 nieces and nephews. 

When she graduated to heaven she was united with many of her family and loved ones. Her brothers George Alonzo Withers, Charles Robert Withers (Bobby) and James Arthur Withers (Jimmy) will be standing right behind her sisters Sara Kathryn Hampton and Elizbeth Jane Kutzenberger (Betty) because that’s the way it worked in the Rio Grande Valley and to Mary that was pretty close to heaven.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.