Mary Gay George

We labor to come into this world and we have learned what a labor it is to leave this world. Labor pains normally are full of hope. Mom had that hope….hope of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus. Even with that hope, Mom was reluctant to leave this world and her loved ones in it. She squeezed every drop out of this life, just like she squeezed lemons over and over, and tea bags over and over. It was part of her constitution. Mom knew Jesus and she had plenty of experiences to confirm His presence in her life, and she also loved her life here, especially her family.

Mary Gay Wheeler was born in Flatonia, Texas and grew up with three older brothers and a younger sister. She played piano and tennis, and she took elocution lessons (look it up). She graduated top of her high school class in Flatonia and went on to receive an English degree at UT in Austin. She went to work in Houston for the Social Security Administration. It was during this time that she began visiting friends in Blooming Grove and became acquainted with the George family. Viola George took her younger brother, Ralph, to Houston to introduce the two. That introduction began the lifelong love affair between Mary Gay and Ralph. They danced their own special dance for 62 years!!

Soon after getting married, the couple moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada where they enjoyed the beautiful mountains and shared a love of the outdoors by hiking, camping and fishing. Bob and Betty were born there and Mary Gay loved to say Katie was half Canadian because she was pregnant when they moved back to Texas. The family settled at 10506 Longmeadow in Lake Highlands and lived in the same house for the next 55 years. They were involved at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church and were members of the same Friendship Sunday School class for all those years. They were involved in scouting, schools, square dancing, “42”, bridge, Meals on Wheels, Newcomers, and Book Club. When they weren’t in Dallas, they spent more and more time at Navarro Mills lake house. There they both enjoyed gardening and fishing and country life. Most every summer vacation was spent in Creede, Colorado camping, hiking and fishing. Did we say Mom loved fishing??

In June of 2012, Mary Gay thought her world had fallen apart when Ralph died. She grieved hard, but bounced back strong and grew in her faith in the Lord and was sure He had a plan for her. This plan included a move to CC Young. She called this the best place on the planet and knew the Lord could use her there. Mom’s world was shattered again in 2014 as she watched her only son be buried, but again, she found comfort in the Lord and in her friends at CC Young. In 2016, Nana wasn’t well enough to travel for the funeral of great- granddaughter, Cate, but she and the pastor at CC Young held their own observance in her apartment.

Mary Gay had a full, rich life, and she lived it well! She was reluctant to leave, but she got to say her good byes and express her love. She was able to tell us “I’m ready”, “I’m not afraid”, “I’m full of joy”, and “There’s no need for tears”. And then…Mom was birthed into eternity.

Mary Gay (Mom) (Nana) was born into this world April 19, 1923 and born into eternity January 19, 2018. She is preceded in death by parents Dr. Leslie and Jewel Wheeler, brothers Dr. Leslie Wheeler (Maxine), Dr. John Wheeler (Lois), Dr. William Wheeler (Margie), sister Jeanne Witt, husband Ralph George, son Dr. Bob George, great-granddaughter Cate George. She is survived by daughters Betty Taylor (JL), and Katie Smith (Greg), daughter- in-law Linda George, 10 grandchildren: Jonathan George (Emily), Michael George (Molly), Amy Smith Carpenter (Ryan), Ashley Trout Modisette, Blake Smith (Kristine), Mitchell George (Caitlin), Stephen Smith (Katy), Allen Trout (Andrea), Chris George (Emilie), MaryBeth Smith McDaniel (Colby), and 15 great- grandchildren: Jake George, Layla Modisette, Mason Smith, Ava Trout, Maddie Ruth Carpenter, Peyton Smith, Tatum Smith, Adelyn Trout, Molly Kate Smith, Jeremiah Carpenter, Owen George, Caleb George, Nolan Smith, Olivia McDaniel and many very special nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributing to CC Young Benevolence Fund or the Cate George Endowment.