Marie Sleeper

March 29, 1943 ~ February 27, 2011

Alice Marie Sleeper – long time resident of Austin, beloved wife of Herbert Wayne Sleeper (married 1983), mother to Cynthia Lynne Graves (1962) & Kathy Jo Mitchell (1964), friend and mentor to all she touched in this life, transcended all that she gave and did for others on this earth, Sunday, February 27, 2011.

Marie, also known by Nana, was born March 29, 1943 in Denison, Texas to Floyd Cecil (1918-1951) & Delia Howell (1921-1999) Landmon. She graduated from Sherman High School – Sherman, Texas in 1961, married Joseph Graves and had two children Cynthia Lynne betrothed to George Giles now living in Pflugerville, Texas and, Kathy Jo married to Brad Mitchell now living in McKinney, Texas. She is also survived by two step-daughters Simone Ward (1970) married to Kevin Ward now living in Derby, Kansas & Shae Sleeper (1975) now living in Austin, Texas. Simone and Shae are both daughters of Herb Wayne Sleeper and loved Marie like a second mom.

Immediate family includes Grandchildren Grace & Jack Awtrey of Pflugerville, Texas; Ellen & Preston Mitchell of McKinney, Texas; Allison Tiritilli, Ryan Heard & Karlee Ward of Derby, Kansas; and Alexis Sleeper of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by her step-father Bill Keelan, Sherman, Texas; two sisters, Jackie Connell, Patsy Speed; a brother, Cecil Landmon; four nieces Leigh Ann Godfrey, Vicki Broomfield, Rebecca Wibban, Stephanie Landmon; one nephew, Ron Speed. Extended family includes the lives of everyone Marie touched…a list that is far too long to mention.

In life, Marie spent much of it dedicated in service to others as a Homeroom Mom, PTA Officer, member of Campfire Girls Citywide Council Board of Directors, Basketball & Softball Coach in the 1970’s, Youth Leader & Altar Guild at St. Stephens Church in Sherman, Texas, member and President of Round Rock High School Band Boosters (1978-79) and, the Board Member of the Sertoma Girls Softball League (1978-79).

Marie was an avid athlete most notable a Fast Pitch Softball Championship Player 1970-76 in Sherman, Texas. She played Catcher & 2nd Base and was known for her rocket arm. There, she met her lifelong friend Martha Hobbs now living in Taylor, Texas who, by the Grace of God, was by Marie’s side in her final moments.

In work, Marie was employed by International Business Machines (IBM) in Austin, Texas. She began by washing dishes in 1977, became an assembler in 1978 then moved on to systems storage management in 1979 as a systems programmer until her retirement in 1999. As in life, Marie’s professional career developed quickly due to her initiative, tenacity and commitment to life learning.

Marie spent her retirement years once again in service to others. Most notably, Marie was 2006 Campaign Manager for her daughter Cynthia Lynne Graves who was elected to the Pflugerville Independent School District Board of Trustees where she presently serves as Secretary of the Board.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Town Lake Animal Shelter, 1156 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas 78703 - (512) 972-4738.

A Visitation for Marie will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday March 3, 2011 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 4, 2001 at 1:00 p.m., at the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home. The Reverend Karen Thompson (daughter of Martha Hobbs) will be the celebrant for the Service. Pallbearers are Russell Drake, George Giles, Ryan Heard, John Pappas, Ron Speed, Glenn Thompson, Kevin Ward, and Jack Awtrey (honorary). Interment will follow immediately after the Service at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery.

To share memories of Marie with the family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.