Mary Marguerite Robertson

Mary Marguerite Robertson was born November 21, 1922 to Sylvia Lee and Martin Arthur Rhodes, the first of what would be 4 children, in Glen Rose, Somervell County, Texas. She was followed by Johnnie Ruth, Jimmie, and Harold. She grew up during the Great Depression living with loving parents that knew what it meant to sacrifice for their families. It was during this time that she learned the value of a dollar and of hard work. It was also during this time that she learned about love, not only the love of parents and family but of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, at age 10, in whose arms she rests today. She passed from this life into her Savior’s arms on July 15, 2021 at the age of 98 years, 7 months, and 22 days.

Mary was predeceased in death by her parents, her husband, Paul D. Robertson, and daughter JoAnn Grimsley.

She is survived by her son, Paul Martin Robertson, and Daughter-in-Law, Ginny Robertson, of Kingwood, Texas, and Son-in-Law, John R. Grimsley, and wife, Judi, of Palisades, Colorado. Left to celebrate the memory of their “Mama” are also a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Granddaughters: Mary Waunita Grimsley of Arvada, Colorado, April Dawn Grimsley of Arvada, Colorado, Tamra Jo Johnson (Moe) of Homer, Alaska, Charity Ruth Grimsley (Matt Hinkley) of Arvada, Colorado, Karen Robertson Franks (Douglas) of Mission, Texas, and Elizabeth “Beth” Robertson Prkyryl (Jonathan) of Porter, Texas. Great-Grandchildren: Ashli Grimsley Fricke (Billy), Josh Groves, Jesse Grimsley, Britney Siekaniec (Casey), Charity B. Grimsley, Brynn Franks, Avery Hinkley, Daphne Prykryl, Rhett Prykryl, and Tess Franks. Great-Great Grandchildren: Hadley Siekaniec, Lorene May Grove, Pietro Siekaniec, and Liam Fricke. Brother Jimmie Rhodes (Aneta) and sister Johnnie Ruth

Shortly after graduating high school, Mary married Jodi Thayer Oliver. They relocated to Bruni, Texas where there was opportunity for work in the oil fields. Here, they resided until Jodi was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII. Jodi became a crew member on a bomber in the European theatre where his plane was shot down on a mission and he was declared Missing in Action for three months. Later his team was found in Italy, having parachuted from the doomed aircraft. Jodi returned to Bruni, changed by this experience. Jodi, Mary and their new baby, JoAnn, relocated to several places in Texas during this time. Jodi had been changed by his experiences, and the two ultimately divorced. Mary and baby JoAnn returned to Bruni where she lived with an aunt and uncle.

During that time Mary took a job working for Bob Bigelow at the Bruni Drug Store. The drug store was a gathering place for all with their coffee bar and soda fountain. It was here that she met Paul Dayton Robertson. Their first date was to a semi-pro baseball game in Laredo sparking a life-long love of the game. Paul and Mary were married November 23, 1951 at her aunt and uncle’s home north of Bruni at the United Gas Company camp. They were married until Paul’s death, February 18, 1989.

Mary knew great joy in her life, having seen her 2 children grow up, marry, and have families of their own. However, Mary also persevered through great sorrow. She experienced the tragic loss of her daughter, JoAnn, to cancer in 1985 at the age of 38. Mary also navigated many months of uncertainty upon learning that her first husband was Missing in Action after his plane was downed, and she witnessed first-hand the toll that these experiences took on him upon his return. She also experienced the plight of many Americans growing up in a small Texas town during the Great Depression. Through it all, she was able to find joy and relied on her faith to persevere. Mary was an inspiring and independent woman.

Mary truly had a servant’s heart, and on more than one occasion commented that her gift from God must be to keep people out of nursing homes. She took great joy in serving loved ones in ailing health. She spent several years providing meals and transportation for her great friend in Bruni, Josie Bright. She faithfully cared for her husband as his health declined and he developed Alzheimer’s. Mary also spent many years caring for her own mother before her death. Mary took great pride in living independently until she was 98, and in her final months it was a true honor for Mary’s son and daughter-in-law to provide the same care and love for Mary that she had shown to so many others.

Mary’s passion was her love for her Lord Jesus Christ, serving Him faithfully all her life. She lived her favorite scripture, Psalm 19:14: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Even when she was no longer to able to physically attend church, she faithfully supported the work of the Lord financially. She spent many years as a member Trinity Baptist Church in Mirando City, TX and Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX. At the time of her death, she was a member of Second Baptist Church - North Campus in Kingwood, TX where she tithed regularly. She also supported various Christian ministries including the South Texas Children’s Home, Zephyr Baptist Encampment, Texas Baptist Men, and Southern Baptist of Texas Disaster Relief.

Mary spent her final years at Town Village in Fort Worth, Texas where she greatly enjoyed many games of “42” with the fellow residents. She then moved to Kingwood, Texas where she lived at Reunion Court, and finally, at home with Paul and Ginny. The family would like to thank Town Village, Reunion Court, and Encompass Hospice for their service to Mary in her final years.

Mary’s cremains will be interred at Greenhill Cemetery, Hebbronville, Texas next to her husband, Paul D. Robertson where a small graveside service will be held on Saturday, September, 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to South Texas Childrens Home in Beeville, Texas or your favorite charity in Mary’s memory.