On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, the Lord took Mary Lou Cluck Wiley Clayton, 88, into his loving arms and carried her home. Mary Lou will be remembered for her youthful personality, wonderful sense of humor and unmatched ability to make family and friends feel love and happiness.
Mary Lou was born on July 24, 1930 in Leander, Texas to Love Edwin and Bessie Lee Cluck. She grew up in “old Leander”, living a simple life full of faith, love, family, and friendship. Mary Lou began dating the love of her life, Bobbie Lee Wiley, in high school. He was a star athlete and she was on the volleyball and pep squad teams. Mary Lou loved to reminisce about her small town high school days and was proud of her and Bob’s relationship and accomplishments. Bob and Mary Lou married in 1950 when she was 20 years old and relocated to Austin. They had two sons, Gary Wayne and Kenneth Lee. The special love of Mary Lou and Bob ended much too quickly with Bob’s tragic death in 1963.
Mary Lou lived courageously as she raised her two young sons. To support their needs, she worked many retail jobs. Mary Lou’s greatest enjoyment was watching her boys grow up and participate in numerous sports and activities. Her ability to love and develop friendships extended to Gary and Kenney as they developed a close network of neighborhood and high school friends. Mary Lou enjoyed sharing childhood stories about her boys. Oftentimes, the best part her story telling was Gary and Kenney filling in details “about what really happened” while she was away. Mary Lou’s comical response included a thankfulness that she never knew the real story and enjoyment in the family’s laughter. Mary Lou lost her youngest son Kenney, unexpectedly, when he was 39 years old. During this difficult time, she was the foundation of our family maintaining her uplifting spirit and an unwavering faith in her Lord. She taught us how to persevere and never lived worried about what might go wrong, but enjoyed all that was right.
Mary Lou’s love and support extended to her four grandkids. Nana, as they called her, was an integral part of their lives and she attended countless baseball, softball and football games. Nana always arrived game-ready with her lawn chair, sunglasses, water bottle and a large bag of snacks. Her reputation for preparedness spread and kids from all over the park found Nana for a treat. She was more concerned about the comfort and well-being of others than she was the outcome of a game. Nana never left without telling her grandkids how proud she was of them, giving a hug, and offering one more chance at water and a snack.
Nana also cherished her four great-grandchildren. While age kept her from attending their activities, her interest and support never wavered. She loved cuddling with each of them and getting the latest update through stories and pictures.
Mary Lou is survived by her son, Gary Wayne (Debbie) Wiley, and daughter-in-law, Kelli Wiley. Also cherishing her memory are Nana’s grandchildren Chad (Stephanie) Wiley, Heather Wiley Hoppas, Kyle Wiley and Kendall Wiley. Nana will also be missed by her precious great-grandchildren Audrey and Nolan Wiley and Kaylee and Reagan Hoppas.
Visitation will be Monday, April 8, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Funeral Home in Austin, Texas. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin, Texas with a reception to follow. Burial will be the Bagdad Cemetery in Leander, Texas at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church, for the children’s ministry.
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