Mary Lou Hays

Mary Lou Hays (age 84) passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born on May 20, 1940, in Snyder, Texas, to the late Robert Edward Hays and Mary Lucille (m. Niedecken). The family moved from Abilene to Corpus Christi seeking work in the Spring of 1942 after Robert was turned down for military service, being married with children.

Mary Lou graduated as Salutatorian from Tuloso-Midway High School in 1958. After a couple of years of college and employment, she met and married Antonio “Tony” Velazquez from Puerto Rico in September 1960, while he was serving in the US Navy stationed at NAS Corpus Christi. They lived in Norfolk, Virginia, and Imperial Beach, California, before returning to Corpus Christi in September 1967, followed by a short stint in Huntsville, Alabama in 1972, and finally settling in Corpus Christi in 1973. Mary Lou and Tony parted ways in 1982; Tony passed away in 2009.

Mary Lou had a distinguished 40-year federal civilian service career, starting as a GS-3 entry-level clerk for the Civilian Personnel Offices in California, a transfer to the US Army Aviation Depot (ARADMAC), an internship at Redstone Arsenal and retiring as a GS-12 Personnel Management Specialist at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) in January 2006. Her service was recognized with the Superior Civilian Service Award.

Mary Lou was a lover of the ocean and beach, spending many days vacationing in the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, and Texas coastal waters with family and friends. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, camping, and water skiing. Her home was adorned with memorabilia from these adventures, including seashells, starfish, sand dollars, coral, driftwood, glass floats, and more. Known as ‘Mamaw’ to her grandkids and great-grandkids, she shared stories and memories of her adventures, creating a loving bond with them during holidays and special occasions.

Mary Lou cherished annual Niedecken family reunions, which began in 1963 and continue today. These gatherings included numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from her Mother's West Texas Niedecken/Tucker lineage.

Mary Lou is survived by her only child, Mark Anthony Velazquez, and his wife Karen Diane. They shared many loving memories traveling, cruising, snorkeling, fishing, and enjoying sunset-full moon beach outings. She was preceded in death by her brother Thomas “Tom” Robert Hays (2002) and his wife Gloria Jean (2024). Mary Lou is also survived by her sister Wanda Norene James (Bobby passed 2019), granddaughter Miranda Stewart (Drew), grandson Travis Waller (Brooke), and four great-grandchildren: Nikolai, Aizlynn, Piper, and Takoma. She is survived by Tom’s two children, Holly and John. Her beloved toy rat-terrier, Lucy, of 14 years also survives and is cared for by her son and his wife.

Visitation will be held at 1 PM on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Memory Gardens Funeral Home. A Funeral Celebration will begin at 2 PM, that same afternoon. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Mausoleum.

In parting, from a document she left her son: “Tell all the family I LOVE THEM! CLOSE THE BOOK - THIS PARTY’S OVER!... See you in heaven - yea!”

That’s Mary Lou… “A Truly Blessed Life!”