Mary Virginia "Mickey" Waite

Mary Virginia Waite (also known as Mickey to her friends and Ginger to her family) was born in Melissa, Texas to Floyd and Alma Priest on November 25, 1920. She grew up on a cotton farm outside McKinney in the small community of Chambersville. After graduating from high school, she moved to Austin to attend secretarial school and met a handsome young soldier by the name of Burrell Waite, who stole her heart and they were married July 5, 1941.

Until 1958, she led the life of an Army officer’s wife, traveling throughout Europe and the United States. She served her soldier well, in that role, as an active participant in many of the different base committees, volunteer opportunities and as a welcoming and accomplished hostess. When the Army life was over, they moved to Lake Austin and she went to work for the state of Texas as deputy administrator for the juvenile compact division.

She was an avid golfer in her younger days and won several trophies at local tournaments. In later life she became a quilter and produced many beautiful heirloom quilts as well as needlepoint works. Reading mysteries and gardening were also a big part of her life. We often teased her that she could plant a toothpick and grow a pine tree, and it was almost true. She loved to travel and made an annual trip to Hawaii for as long as she was able. She had two special four legged children Buffy, a cocker and Sam, a collie. Both were a big part of her life and brought her much laughter and fun.

The greatest joys in her life were both of her children, her 8 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and she was looking forward to February when she would become a Great-great grandmother. Each of her grandchildren were special to her in their own way, and she always had some story about them, or a question to ask about them. She was Mom, Grandma, GG and loved dearly no matter which name was called.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Burrell Waite, her brother Billy Priest, and a granddaughter, Diana Dennis. She is survived by a sister, Jean Kunitz of Sherman; her son, Jim Waite and wife Betty of Austin, and daughter, Becci McClain of Pflugerville; her grandchildren Trish Burdett and husband Bruce of Midland, Charles Waite and wife Christi of McAllen, Scott McClain of Midland, Sandra Sloan and husband Elton of Livingston, Mark Waite and wife Chrissy of Houston, David and wife Kathleen of Katy, and Jennifer Malizia and husband Joe of Katy and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Her life was one we should all try to emulate, filled with family, friends, adventures, hobbies and pastimes, laughter, and eagerness for the next day to see what it would hold. She will be missed, but she will live on in all the lives she has touched through all the people she has loved.

A Visitation is planned for December 2, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home. A service will be held at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral home on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.

To share your memories and condolences with Mickey's family, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.