On May 4, 2025, Mary Ellen Bellar peacefully met her Savior face to face. At the age of 88, she entered her eternal home surrounded by the love of her family and the promises of her Savior. Services to Celebrate Mary’s Life: A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Bolton Street Baptist Church.
Mary was born on January 21, 1937, to Freddie and Ellen Gray. In 1952, her family moved to Hereford, Texas, where she would soon meet the love of her life, Kenneth Lee Bellar. They were married on November 24,1954, and just this past November, they celebrated 70 years of love and devotion with their family—a testament to a life beautifully lived and faithfully shared.
Mary and Ken made Amarillo their home in 1958, where she first worked for the phone company before devoting herself fully to raising their four children. Later, she returned to the workforce alongside Ken at their family business, Abal Auto Sales, where she handled the administrative work with care and excellence. It was there that she had the special joy of working with two of her sons and their wives, continuing her lifelong commitment to family.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Ken Bellar; her children Kenney Bellar and wife Carolle, Paul Bellar and wife Lisa, Donnie Bellar and wife Delilah—all of Amarillo—and her daughter Beverly Vardas and husband Danny of Arkansas. Mary’s legacy continues through her six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, each of whom she loved deeply and prayed for faithfully. She is also survived by her brothers David Gray and Craig Cowley, both of the DFW area.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, one brother, and a cherished daughter-in-law. A longtime member of Bolton Street Baptist Church, Mary’s walk with Christ was the steady compass of her life. Her faith wasn’t just something she spoke about—it was something she lived out daily. She served in many roles at church over the years. Whether she was quilting, collecting antique trunks, or traveling in the RV with Ken across the country, Mary carried with her a deep love for her family and her Savior.
Mary believed in togetherness—whether through Sunday dinners, family vacations to the mountains or Disney World, or simple everyday moments. She made sure her family knew the love of Jesus, not just through words, but through the way she loved them, led them, and lifted them in prayer. Her absence leaves a tender space in our hearts, but we rejoice in the promise of reunion.
As Philippians 3:20-21 reminds us: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ... who will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Until we see her again, we hold on to the hope she taught us to cling to and the love she so freely gave.
