August 30, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (8/30/15) - Mary Lillian George Fitts, 78, died August 29, 2015. She was born June 16, 1937 in Linden, Texas to Thomas and Toy Pyland George. She graduated from Linden High School and attended East Texas Baptist College and the University of Texas.
She married George Fitts, her high school sweetheart, on June 7, 1958, and they were married for 51 years. After living in Austin, Dallas and Tyler, they moved to Marshall in 1970. Mary was a lifetime member of the PTA, served in the Cypress Junior Women's Club, delivered Meals on Wheels and belonged to various other civic clubs. She was a member of Central Baptist Church for 45 years where she served in many capacities. She sang in the sanctuary choir, coordinated the church prayer ministry and served on the pastor search committee. She and George were directors for the young married Sunday school class and mentored many young adult couples over the years. She also served as a director for youth Sunday school class, taught children's choir and served in vacation bible school.
Visitation will be 2-5 pm, Sunday, August 30, 2015 at Central Baptist Church in Marshall. Graveside services will be held 10 am, Monday, August 31, 2015 at Woodlawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Monday, August 31, 2015 at Central Baptist Church in Marshall.
Mary also served as an ETBU trustee for the past five years and she loved supporting the faculty and students of the university. She loved getting together with them and hearing their stories and encouraging them.
Mary was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother or "Mimi," as she was called by her adoring grandchildren. She loved her family dearly and she faithfully attended their games, recitals and programs. She had a talent for making her grandchildren feel special and she took great interest in what they were doing at school, church and socially. Mary was a fabulous cook and she loved to entertain her family and friends. She also supported her friends when they were ill with visits and truly loved to encourage them and try to make them feel better.
Mary deeply loved her Lord and had a tremendous faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a true prayer warrior and she knew the Lord is always faithful. She demonstrated her faith by how she loved, her words of encouragement and the wise counsel she gave to so many friends and family. Mary also testified to her faith by how she battled cancer for the last four years of her life. She was brave and courageous the entire time and never lost the will to fight. Angela and Todd and the family are extremely grateful for those who helped care for Mary during her battle. Dr. Nirmal with Texas Oncology and Tracy Brock, Evelyn Byrd and Jackie Singleton were especially helpful in their care for Mary. There were also many friends who helped in so many ways and they are truly appreciated.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George and nephew, Tommy Ives. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Ted Huffhines; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Stephanie Fitts; grandchildren, Holly and Heather Huffhines and Tucker and Brookes Fitts all of Marshall. She is also survived by her sister, Peggy Ives of Jefferson, her brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Mary George of Rockwall, as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Doug Duncan, Bryan Fitts, Sam Hammontree, Kent Reeves, Gene Sampson, Vic Schwartz, Don Thornton and Kevin Yandell. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. David Bates, Ken Goolsby, Wayne McWhorter, David Simpson, Jeremy Spears, Allan Staggers and Jerry Yandell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Mission Marshall, 2109 S. Washington Ave., Marshall, TX 75670, Central Baptist Church in Marshall or East Texas Baptist University.
(Obituary - Meadowbrook Funeral Home, www.meadowbrookfh.com, Marshall, Texas)