1930
Mary
2016
Mary Lou Stewart
April 18, 1930 — August 24, 2016
Mary Lou Lemons Harrell Stewart passed away the morning of August 24, 2016 at the age of 86. The second of seven daughters to Ray and Juanita Lemons, she was born April 18, 1930 in Amarillo and lived her life in the Texas Panhandle. Mary Lou lived sixty years in the same home in Amarillo in which she raised four children and two step-children.
Mary Lou retired in 1987 from Baptist St Anthony’s Hospital after 20 years as a medical laboratory technician and then spent nearly three more decades helping her husband Arvis with his art and stained glass work. She was an artist too and created many portraits of family members, oil paintings of landscapes, and sculptures.
She was a gifted leader for children and served on the PTA board at Wilson elementary school, was a Den Mother for her sons Cub Scout troop, and taught Sunday School for many years at the First Baptist Church in Amarillo where she was lifelong member. Her Christian faith was very strong, and she served the church in many different ways, eventually leading an adult department alongside her husband.
Mary Lou had many interests including fly fishing, hiking near her beloved cabin in New Mexico, and growing flowers including 21 different varieties of irises, but family was her focus. Every year her sisters and all the female cousins got together for a vacation on the beach, in the mountains, or on a cruise – nothing could have made her miss one of those Sisters’ Retreats, as they were known.
She leaves behind children Byron Harrell and wife Shirin, Bonnie Bennett and partner David Wright, Mickie Phipps and husband Jerry, Adam Stewart, and Holly Stewart, daughter-in-law Susan Harrell, as well as nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and four sisters, Mickey Certain, FayeNell Allton, Linda Weaver and Ginger McCartor. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arvis Stewart, who passed away just one month ago; her oldest son Jim Douglas Harrell; her first husband, J. Douglas Harrell; and two sisters, Sue Arlene Bird and Judy Poe.
A memorial service will be held Friday the 26th of August at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Amarillo, 1208 S. Tyler, Amarillo TX 79101 with Dr. Howard K. Batson officiating. Arrangements are by Angel Funeral Home, 2209 S. Arthur.
Mary Lou retired in 1987 from Baptist St Anthony’s Hospital after 20 years as a medical laboratory technician and then spent nearly three more decades helping her husband Arvis with his art and stained glass work. She was an artist too and created many portraits of family members, oil paintings of landscapes, and sculptures.
She was a gifted leader for children and served on the PTA board at Wilson elementary school, was a Den Mother for her sons Cub Scout troop, and taught Sunday School for many years at the First Baptist Church in Amarillo where she was lifelong member. Her Christian faith was very strong, and she served the church in many different ways, eventually leading an adult department alongside her husband.
Mary Lou had many interests including fly fishing, hiking near her beloved cabin in New Mexico, and growing flowers including 21 different varieties of irises, but family was her focus. Every year her sisters and all the female cousins got together for a vacation on the beach, in the mountains, or on a cruise – nothing could have made her miss one of those Sisters’ Retreats, as they were known.
She leaves behind children Byron Harrell and wife Shirin, Bonnie Bennett and partner David Wright, Mickie Phipps and husband Jerry, Adam Stewart, and Holly Stewart, daughter-in-law Susan Harrell, as well as nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and four sisters, Mickey Certain, FayeNell Allton, Linda Weaver and Ginger McCartor. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arvis Stewart, who passed away just one month ago; her oldest son Jim Douglas Harrell; her first husband, J. Douglas Harrell; and two sisters, Sue Arlene Bird and Judy Poe.
A memorial service will be held Friday the 26th of August at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Amarillo, 1208 S. Tyler, Amarillo TX 79101 with Dr. Howard K. Batson officiating. Arrangements are by Angel Funeral Home, 2209 S. Arthur.
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