Mary Elizabeth McKenzie of Hurst, Texas, was born to the late
Reba and Andrew Jack Thompson on October 11, 1930 in
Carthage, Texas. She passed away quietly on Sunday, March 4,
2018. She will be laid to rest next to her son, Danny, on March
8, 2018.
Mary grew up in her hometown of Carthage and graduated from
Carthage High School. She met her beloved husband, Austin,
while she worked as a telephone operator in Carthage. They
were married in 1952 and began a life together in Dallas. Austin
and Mary had 3 children, Gary, Danny, and Lori (Missy). Mary’s
family and friends were the love and joy of her life. Her children
consider her to be the best mom ever. As a full-time mother and
homemaker, “Momma” was always involved in her children’s’
lives, volunteering in most of their school and extracurricular
activities. She was the 1960’s version of a soccer mom. Mary
was an “Honorary Life Member of the Texas Congress of
Parents and Teachers”, and at one time worked in the cafeteria at
the elementary school where her children attended. Mary,
Austin, and the kids enjoyed many weekends at their farm in
Grand Saline.
Once her children were grown Mary pursued her hobbies with a
passion, including gardening, collecting and making dolls,
creating amazing ceramic pieces, and various other interests.
One never knew what she would collect next; from brightly
colored, gem-encrusted elephant statues to coins to artist prints
to ceramic birds. She could make any plant bloom, and her
gardens were always a delight. She always wore a smile along
with several colorful and fun pieces of jewelry.
Her husband adored her and has been an ever-constant and loyal
companion. They both greatly enjoyed traveling with their
friends on Dan Dipert Tours. A vacation to England and France,
which created life-long memories, was the only time Mary was
not in the United States.
Mary is survived by her beloved husband, Austin, of Hurst, 2 of
her 3 children, Gary McKenzie of Carrollton and Lori (Missy)
Smithers of Fredericksburg, her daughter- and son-in-law,
Sandra McKenzie and Jeff Smithers, her grandchildren, James
McKenzie, Laura (McKenzie) and Clay McMurray, Jake
Smithers, and Luke Smithers, great-grandchildren, Benjamin
and Henry McKenzie, and Cooper and Lyla McMurray, and her
sisters Doyle Hodgkinson and Lucille Fields. Mary is preceded
in death by her parents and her middle son, Danny.
Funeral and burial arrangements have been made through
Bluebonnet Hills, in Colleyville, Texas. Messages to the family
may be sent care of Gary McKenzie, 2833 Creekway Drive,
Carrollton, Texas 75010.
