Mary Dane Mitchell Riddles

Mary Dane Riddles, 80, of Austin Texas was received into his Glory on Saturday, October 27, 2012. She was surrounded by family. After a courageous 23 year battle with heart disease, she is no longer in pain. She was born on January 2, 1932 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Opal Dane and J.W. Mitchell.

Mary lived life to the fullest; she graduated high school in 1949 from Comanche High School in Oklahoma. She married the love of her life Chester K Riddles in 1951. They had three children, Jerry Don, Malynda, and Brenda. She worked as a Nurses Aid and enjoyed spending time with her children. She spent her time sewing school play costumes and choir uniforms, leader to the brownies and the boy scouts, managing Jerry's Band, and staying up all night with them when they were ill. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren and loved spending time with them, fishing, skiing behind the boat, learning to sew, cooking, playing games, and being a friend to them all. She was the best great-grandmother to her 11 great-grandbabies and treasured watching them grow.

Mary was an avid League bowler in both Perryton, Texas and at Austin's Westgate Lanes. She was also a member of the Holy Smokers at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin.

Mary was greeted in heaven by her husband of 55 years, Chester K. Riddles. Mary was also greeted by her parents, Opal Dane and J.W. Mitchell; brother, J.W. (Bubba) Mitchell; uncle, Shelby Scruggs and his wife, Connie; son, Robert Burns; brother, Cloviece Riddles; sister, Fern Riddles; and granddaughter, Janice Dolan. She was also greeted by many friends and relatives including her good friend for many years, Wanda Pickering.

Mary leaves behind for a while, her children, Jerry Don, Malynda and Brenda; her son by marriage, Richard Graham and daughter, Karen Riddles; grandchildren, Jeremy Riddles and Bethany, Dennis Graham, Wesley Riddles, Kevin Graham, James Burns, Kimberly Graham, Jonathan and Yvonne Burns, Stormy Burns, and Kristopher Burns; great-grandchildren, Starr and Hallie Riddles, Savannah and Jocelyn Riddles, Adam Burns, Opal Burns, Robert Burns, Grady and Judah Graham; brother and family, Ron Mitchell, Kay Mitchell, Timothy and Becky Mitchell, Bradley Mitchell, Garrison Mitchell, Jason and Merita Mitchell, Kara and Clint Chapman, Chastity and Lily Chapman; nephew and family, OY and Elaine Mitchell, Mindy Mitchell, Ryan and Devyn Mitchell, Ian, Zachary and Rebecca, Raimey and James Charles, Elaina and Madelyn; niece, Deniece Ann and Robert Chaplain; cousins, David Scruggs and Ginger Tigart; numerous other relatives and a host of friends and neighbors.

Many thanks to South Austin Intensive Care Unit with special mention to Erica and Miriam, ICU nurses. Also, Dr. James B. Williams who grew old with Mary keeping her heart beating. Our thanks and great gratitude to her newest friend and caregiver, Henrietta Flores. Thanks to her church family at Bethany Lutheran Church. Mary was blessed with her many friends, and neighbors. Thanks to all for your prayers and concern for the family.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Monday, October 29, 2012 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Lane with Pastor William Knippa officiating. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Honoring Mary as pallbearers will be her grandsons.