Marie Gordon, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away on the 4th of July, 2016. The 4th of July would have been a special day in Marie's life because it is a day when families get together and celebrate. There was nothing Marie loved better. Marie died peacefully after living a wonderful life that spanned 93 years. She was born in Jasper, Texas on June 16, 1923 to William Mulligan Hulett and Linnie Ener Hulett. She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter Betty Gray; brothers, Billy Ray Hulett, James Roy Hulett and Ernest Troy Hulet. She is survived by daughter, Shirley Houston and husband Tom; Wil Gordon and wife Judy; grandson, Walker Richard Gray, III (Cody) and wife Wendy; great-grandchild, Walker Richard Gray IV (Austin); son-in-law Walker Richard Gray II (Sonny) and sister-in-law Glenda Hulet of Lumberton, Texas.
Marie married Walter Louis Gordon on July 25, 1937. He remained, from that time, the love of her life, her best friend and her business partner until his death in 1993.Louis and Marie started Gulf Welding Supply in 1947. The company had distribution in East Texas and parts of Louisiana. They sold to businesses that needed welding supplies or hospital supplies. In those years they not only distributed oxygen to the hospitals but rented oxygen tents as well. That was the method in those years of providing high doses of oxygen. That business still exists although under a different name. It was known as Gulf Welding Supply for 68 years.
The family wanted to move to a big city so that the children would grow up and find employment close to home. Marie found a house that was the perfect house for her. It was in a new area of Oak Forest. In 1953 they moved to Houston. Marie has lived in the same house for 63 years and still loved it just as much as she did when she was a young woman. Their plan worked because all three children stayed in Houston as well as her grandson. Today none of the children live over eight miles away from the family home.
Marie and Louis had another successful business venture when they opened Tradewinds Roller Rink on Thanksgiving Day of 1957. The skaters lined up and down the street to get in the skating rink. The skating business was a thriving business partly because Marie was a people person and was always thinking of ways for the young people to have a good time.Tradewinds would have floats and skaters in the rodeo parade. They would decorate the skating rink and vote for Miss Tradewinds and her court of princesses. That was a formal night and all the girls would wear formals to skate and the boys suits. Among families that skated at Tradewinds was the Swayze family. Patrick of Dirty Dancing fame was one of that family. There were so many other skaters that have called and said the best years of their life was at Tradewinds Roller Rink. Upon retirement, Marie and Louis sold the business to their son Wil Gordon who ran it for many years. The skating rink was opened for 45 years. At the time of closing, the Gordon family was no longer involved except for leasing the building.
After retirement, Marie became talented with a talent she never knew she had. She became caregiver for her husband who had failing health from heart disease. He used to call her a jewel of a nurse. They played cards every day even if there was just the two of them. Marie played cards almost daily since the day she left the skating business and was still playing until two to three weeks before her death. Even when she got macular degeneration and could barely see, she was still often winning at cards with those that were younger and could see better. Pennies from Heaven was her favorite; but as her eyes dimmed, she started playing Skip-Bo. Marie was multi-talented. She loved to cook. She would say some of her friends would say their children didn't visit them often enough. Marie said, "They just don't get it. Cook for them and they will come." In earlier years she used to love working in her yard. There were always beautiful flowers. She was also an excellent seamstress. Had she gone to design school, she could have easily been a dress designer. She designed and made clothes for both her daughters all through school. She was known for the beautiful southern ballgowns she made. They would have 50 or 60 yards of material. They were seen in fashion shows, were modeled on TV and won several awards for best dress. Marie always loved a party. Even if you just showed up at the house by youself, she was always ready with a cup of coffee and cake, cookies, candy. Sometimes she would bring out the china and crystal for just a few so it would be a special occasion. Then she would usually say, "Would you like to stay a little longer and play a game of cards?" She had the open door policy but many times it was the revolving door with one group leaving and another group coming in. Everyone was invited to stop by. She inherited wanting friends and family over daily from her mother who cooked lunch for any friend who wanted to stop by for lunch. The only difference was her mother played 42 and dominoes instead of cards. In her younger years Marie was always active in the church. She was a member of White Oak Baptist Church for over 60 years. After knee surgery that left her where she could not walk easily anymore, she could not go to church as often. That didn't deter Marie from doing good for others. She couldn't walk but she could drive. She would call her friends that were ill and tell their family to meet her at the curb. She would have a pot of soup or chicken and dumplings or other comfort food that made them feel better. She was perhaps the original meals on wheels. She did not let the fact she could not walk far deter her from doing good for others.
Marie was a lifelong Baptist. When searching the family tree, it was found that some of her ancestors were named Paulk and Starnes, some of the first organizersof the Southern Baptist movement. July 4, 2016 is a day to honor our ancestors who are responsible for the freedom we enjoy today. Marie, as well as both her daughters, have been members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lady Washington Chapter. She is a direct descendant of Captain Henry Felder of South Carolina. The family was originally from Zurich, Switzerland. He and seven sons fought in the American Revolution. Captain Henry Felder and one of his sons died for our country. Marie is also from the Joseph and William Ball families of Virginia, originally from England.. Joseph Ball was the grandfather and William Ball the great-grandfather of George Washington. Elizabeth Ball Conway and Mary Ball Washington were both daughters of Joseph Ball. Elizabeth Ball Conway was Marie's ancestor.
Marie had a wonderful life. Her life became so much longer and richer because of the three sisters, Deborah, Dianna and Lisa, who cared for Marie the last few years of her life. They became part of the family. Of course one of the criteria of employment was that they were to play cards. In her final years of failing health and memory, Marie stayed with us as long as she could. We will miss her more than words can say. She was one of a kind. If Marie could say final words to all of us today they would be "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Visitation will be at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home in the Kathryn Foley Memorial Event Center, with viewing in the Chapel of The Garden from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at the home of Marie Gordon. Private burial will be at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please give to the church or charity of your choice .
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