Mary B. Cramer

Mary Bauer Cramer passed away January 30, 2022, just three months shy of her 92nd birthday. With her son James and daughter Janet beside her, Mary achieved what she so richly deserved: eternal peace, freedom from pain and the restoration of her memory, intelligence and sharp wit.

Born to Bertha and Gus Bauer in Gonzales, TX, during the Great Depression, Mary was the youngest of five daughters. Her sisters Gazelle, Roberta, Annie Lee and Doris preceded her in death as did her parents.

Mary learned the values of hard work, family commitment and self-reliance growing up with a strong German Methodist undergirding and by watching her mother singlehandedly work to provide for her five daughters.

Mary had a deep abiding faith in Gods plan for her life. Each day began with a prayer that God would guide and direct her path. Although having the choice to marry after high school, she instead felt Gods answer to her prayer was to pursue a college degree.

With the help of her fathers VA benefits (earned after serving in World War I) and by working while attending college, Mary graduated in three years from Southwest Texas State Teachers College with a degree in elementary education.

During her last semester of college she met Bill Cramer, a fellow student, and her future husband of 57 years. Upon Bills graduation he accepted an officers commission to the United States Air Force where he would spend his career with Mary by his side.

As an officers wife, Mary established and maintained a loving stable home environment wherever a new assignment took them. She and her family lived in five different states and spent three years in Germany. When possible she taught school as well as participated in the activities expected of officers wives. She chaired several fundraising projects and had the honor of presenting a check to support the first planned retirement community for retired officers, Air Force Village in San Antonio.

Mary was an avid football fan. She enjoyed watching Sunday professional games with Bill but especially relished cheering on the University of Texas football team in person as a season ticket holder thanks to her son James and his wife Betty. Equally as exciting was watching the UT Marching Band take the field.

In retirement Mary and Bill finally set down roots in north San Antonio giving them the privilege of helping establish University United Methodist Church. Marys friendliness, kindness and approachability made her the perfect Sunday greeter and ambassador for "her" church. She would welcome visitors with examples of how her church had enriched her life and how University UUMC could enrich their lives, too.

One such visitor who now is a longtime member saw Mary as putting into practice the ancient Biblical instruction to show strangers hospitality. She is remembered for her lovely smile, encouraging words and kindnesses. Another church friend described her as an emblem of Love and Grace.

If you are reading this today, Mary would encourage you to: Be happy right here, right now. Cherish the moment you hold in your hand. Life is about choices. Ask yourself: Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someones face? Did I say words of healing? Did I forgive? Did I love?

This is the day the Lord hath made. Rejoice and be glad in it. Marys family and friends will miss her terribly. But we rejoice in knowing she is with her beloved husband Bill and her Heavenly Father and has achieved victory over death.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, February 8 at 10 a.m. at University United Methodist Church, 5084 DeZavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249. It will be live streamed on Facebook and through the churchs website. Go to universitysatx.org, click on the link, Media, then Livestream. The service will be archived several months also.

If you choose to remember Mary in a tangible way, the family suggests contributions to the UUMC Quilt Ministry, the UUMC Prayer Card Ministry or the UUMC Comfort and Joy Ministry.