Mary Elizabeth Wright McManus, 86, of Katy, peacefully passed away on December 31, 2014. She was born August 27, 1928, in Danville, Virginia, to James Benjamin and Lottie Bell Dudley Wright. She was the youngest of three children. Her family lived in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Charlottesville, Virginia, before settling in Richmond where Mary graduated from John Marshall High School in 1946.
She married Edward F. McManus on September 17, 1949. Mary and Ed began a life of love, travel, family, and adventure. Ed’s career moved the family worldwide including living in Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey, California, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Texas. They made a loving home wherever they landed, moving more than 30 times. Mary bought the houses and often moved the family on her own.
In 1977, Mary, along with her son, Joe McManus, opened a Radio Shack Dealership on Mason Road in Katy. Their dealership became Radio Shack’s largest franchise. Mary was a driving force behind its success. She prided herself on her bookkeeping skills and could account for every penny at all times. She stayed active in the family businesses including real estate investments and operating self-storage facilities.
In 1978, Ed and Mary settled in Brookshire, Texas, where they hosted memorable family get-togethers and summer Sunday swimming pool parties. Mary loved her family above all else. She was affectionately known as Gaga to her grandchildren. Her quick wit could bring a smile and laugh to anyone’s face.
Mary found her wonderful church home at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy. She treasured her Sunday School class, Daughters of the King. She valued these loving women and, after an itinerant life, the stability and love of these sisters in Christ brought her great happiness and comfort.
While Mary was very proud to call herself a Virginian, she loved Texas with its can-do business climate and warm weather. She loved reading, garage sales, antiques and travelling the world, especially with Globus European tours.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Edward, and her beloved older brother, James Wright. She is survived by her three children – daughter, Cynthia Bellomy, and husband, Hugh; son, Joseph H. McManus, and wife, Jane; and daughter, Nancy Winston McManus – all of Katy. She is survived by her loving grandchildren – Julia Elaine McManus of Houston; William Edward Bellomy of Austin; Brooke Wright Bellomy White and husband, Nathan of Dallas; and Joseph Brett McManus of Lake Jackson. She is also survived by her cherished older sister, Irma Tunstall, of Richmond, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.
The family would like to thank the staff of Sundance at WoodCreek in Katy. They are a loyal, gentle, and selfless team of caregivers who made Mary’s life there comfortable and happy.
A remembrance service for Mary will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2015 at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Boulevard, Katy, Texas. Kingsland Baptist Church Senior Adult Pastor, Mike Kelley, officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Gaga should consider donations to the Salvation Army or Kingsland Baptist Church’s Missions Ministry.
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