Mary Easterling

Mary Steffos Easterling, 91, passed away peacefully in Dallas, TX on August 26, 2015 with family at her side. Mary was born May 2, 1924 in Sheboygan, WI to Greek immigrant parents, Christ Steffos and Sophia Papadimitropoulos, who entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. Her father taught her about Greek traditions and life but told her how special America was and how they should not try to change America, but help make it better. Mary’s mother passed away when she was an infant, and her father when she was a young girl.

Mary attended school in Wisconsin and Dixon, IL before moving to Port Arthur, TX at the age of 16 to live with a sister. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1942. In Port Arthur, Mary met the love of her life, Leon Edward ‘Eddie’ Easterling. They married on April 8, 1944 just before Eddie enlisted and served in the Army during WWII in Okinawa. Mary and Eddie raised their three children, Linda, Edward and Chris, in Port Arthur and were charter members of Aldersgate Methodist Church. They were a normal family and always thought of themselves as being lucky people. The children were raised surrounded by family – grandparents, aunts, uncles and lots of cousins. The kids enjoyed get-togethers with their extended family – and there was much love. Mary devoted her life to her family and was a very generous and giving lady. She began working as a speech and reading therapist in the Port Arthur schools and had a rare talent for helping children with reading and speech difficulties. Mary continued working with children as a teacher’s aide following the couples’ move to Silsbee, TX. Mary and Eddie loved nature and spending time on their small farm, and at their lake house at Lake Ivanhoe, near Woodville, TX. There they spent time and entertained family and friends.

Mary and Eddie were always present to enjoy their children, and put them above all else. The best of all Mary’s years were years spent with her precious grandchildren, Jimmy, Amy, Matt, Luke, Garrett and Caroline. Later in life, she lived in San Antonio and Plano, TX to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Pauline Kramer and Helen Stevens, her husband, Leon Edward Easterling, and her daughter, Linda Easterling Aycock.

She is survived by her sons and their wives, Chris and Juliana Easterling, and Edward and Pat Easterling, son-in-law, Jim Aycock. grandchildren Jim (Amy) Aycock, Amy (Brian) Hougen, Matt Aycock, Luke Easterling, Garrett Easterling and Caroline Easterling, nephews Terry (Vicki) Tighe, Ben (Sherry) Easterling, Roger Easterling, nieces Sandra Guidry, and Becky (Harry) Chester, sister-in-law, Shirley Easterling and other nieces and nephews. Mary is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Kendall, Christian, and Reed Hougen, and Allie, Kate, Lily and James Aycock.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Walnut Place in Dallas where Mary resided since 2007, especially Fran Houisseney and Dr. Charles Sledge.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Andrew United Methodist Churh, 5801 W Plano Pkwy., Plano, TX 75093 or the charity of your choice.

Private service performed by Reverend Robert Hasley with burial at Restland Cemetery, Dallas, TX.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman Richardson Funeral Directors.