Mary Margaret Graham Pate

Mary was born in Graham, Texas, on September 10, 1946, to the late O.L. (Bob) Graham and Margaret Stinnette (Peggy) Graham. After graduating as the Valedictorian from Graham High School, she attended Briarcliff College, Briarcliff Manor, NY, in 1964-65. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1968 with a BS degree in Education. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity.

Mary’s life was centered and grounded in her family, her friends, and her faith. For many years, she successfully ran a jewelry business, Dazzle, opening a storefront in Amarillo in 1988 and often travelling the state to participate in large seasonal markets and small private shows.

Mary moved to Dallas in 2004. A member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Mary was nurtured by the many friendships made through her Bible study and prayer groups. Although she closed the Dazzle storefront in 2005, she continued to be active in jewelry design and sales, and she enjoyed, to the end, a life-long love of competitive team tennis.

As Mary prepared to meet her personal savior, Jesus Christ, she trusted in her Lord just as she had all of her life. She lived boldly and always moved forward, even as she battled cancer for her last seven years -- standing tall, head up, eyes forward, focused. She never doubted her ability to be healed and led with her faith, joining with new and old friends to worship, study, and pray. She nurtured her family and celebrated significant milestones with her children and granddaughters. Although cancer has now taken its toll on Mary’s physical being, she has always been one to move forward, this time into the arms of her Lord. She had been waiting for that all of her life.

Mary is survived by her son, Graham Pate, and his wife Paige, of Fort Worth, and her daughter, Wilson Johnson, and her husband Robert, of Dallas; three granddaughters, Avery Pate, Alex Johnson and Phoebe Johnson; and her sister, Suzanne Graham Mauze, of Fort Worth.

A memorial service will be held June 4th at 11:00 AM at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas. In lieu of usual remembrances, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center, The Father’s House, Mercy Street Ministries, Union Gospel Mission or West Dallas Community School.