Mary Stark Henry

Mary Stark Henry of Nacogdoches was born September 25, 1930 in Roscoe, Texas and died on January 11, 2017, surrounded by her family in Nacogdoches. Her parents were Louie and Lucille Hartgraves. She grew up in Sweetwater and later attended Texas Tech in Lubbock where she captured the heart of a young banker, O.R. Stark and they made their home in Quitaque.

Those preceding her in death were her parents and a son Scotty Stark. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Braden and husband Rick of Nacogdoches, son, Randy Stark and wife Linda of Quitaque, daughter-in-law, Sandra Proffitt of Quitaque, her brother Brice Hartgraves and wife Cindy of Granbury. She had 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and a wealth of dear friends.

Her grandchildren are Taylor and Bodey Lange of Tulia, Brady Stark of Lubbock, Caleb Stark of LaQuinta, CA, Vaughn and Matilda Miller of Dallas, Brex, Jet, Bliss and Story Boddy of Tyler, Zachery and Gabriel Mashburn of Waxahachie and Zachery Pillsbury of Clifton.

Mary was an active member of First Baptist Church and served many years in the Adult Celebration Choir. She was also an active member of Newcomers Club, Ashbury Court Association, bridge clubs, and a group of dear, supportive widowed friends who called themselves “The Chosen.”

In Proverbs 31, it explains the virtues of a good woman. Mary's life was a living example of that proverb. She knew how to properly balance her life using a positive attitude, even when life's circumstances were just the opposite. She had the gift of hospitality and always made you feel welcomed and well fed. She loved beauty whether it was flowers or helping to make a small rural town look more attractive. She was a woman of culture, and art and music were passions in her life. Family meant the world to her and she would beam like a ray of sunshine when her loved ones were with her. She honored her wedding vows of 50 years with her husband O.R. Stark of Quitaque and years later, 9 years with Durward Henry in Nacogdoches. The one she loved the most though, was her Lord. She knew Christ personally and was faithful to His bride, the church, her entire life.

When she entered heaven on January 11th, she heard these words, "Well done, Mary, my good and faithful servant.”

The service will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 at 2:00 at First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. Burial will be Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2017, in Quitaque.

Visitation with the family will be held at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, from 4:00-6:00 pm.