Mary Ann Odom

Mary Ann graduated from Midland High School in 1955 and attended Texas Woman’s University where she graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1959. With her natural talent for art and design, she began working for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri in August of 1959. Mary Ann knew she wanted to work for Hallmark Cards as a young girl shopping in her local Hallmark Store admiring all of the beautiful cards and gift wrap. Immediately after graduating from college she was hired. Her first assignment was in hand lettering and she never lost her ability to perfectly eye the placement of the written word. Mary Ann assumed many different roles of increasing responsibility during her tenure and became what can be best described as a Hallmark Legend. Her dedication and love for Hallmark, her passion for perfection, her deeply creative perspective and her tireless work ethic made strong contributions to Hallmark’s strength in the market. She had an especially well honed eye for spotting a trend or an idea and developing it into a successful product line. Mary Ann was especially proud of a program she developed called Nature’s Sketchbook, based on the work of Dutch nature artist Marjolein Bastin. This was to become one of the best selling lines in Hallmark history, featuring the integration of cards and gifts.

Towards the end of Mary Ann’s career she led the development of Christmas gifts and décor, and the Jan Karon “Mitford” series of books and merchandise. She would choose themes, direct concept planning and artwork development often managing teams of over 20 artists. She traveled on arduous trips to India and China working long hours in factories always earning the respect and friendship of our partners overseas. In fact, Mary Ann traveled all over the world during her career visiting well over 40 countries.

Mary Ann was also a mentor to many Hallmarkers and a leader who never asked more of others than she asked of herself. She is remembered today by the hundreds of her Hallmark community who admired and respected her and who all recognize that she was an exceptionally talented and creative artist. Mary Ann loved everyday that she worked at Hallmark.

Mary Ann had and unparalleled career spanning over 45 years, and retired in 2002 as an executive with the company.

She was honored by TWU as a Distinguished Alumna in 1995 and was Commencement Speaker at TWU in 2009.

Mary Ann moved to Mabank, Texas, after her retirement to be near her family. She had many friends in Athens and Mabank as well as special cousins, Kenneth & Sue Nell Johnson as well as Ed Link and Henry Link of Palestine. Regardless of where they each lived, Mary Ann and her group of college friends gathered each year to celebrate their life-long camaraderie. She was a member of the Athens chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and she was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Mabank, where she was an Elder and Member of Session. Mary Ann was especially committed to the “Busy Bees” group at the church and was involved in the planning, preparation, and participation of their sales each year to benefit the church.

Mary Ann’s love of decorating and holidays inspired her to decorate her beautiful home each season throughout the year. Her favorite time was Christmas and converting each room into a “Hallmark Christmas”. She created new traditions by introducing fare from around the world each Christmas for her family. She entertained her friends and opened her home for the local Christmas tours.