Marie Ann Hunter

Marie Ann Outlaw Hunter, age 93, of Nacogdoches, Texas peacefully passed away on April 19th, 2026, at her home in the arms of her loving family. Marie was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Born December 5, 1932, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Marie lived a long and meaningful life marked by kindness, charity work, and devotion to family. She was the beloved daughter of Anna Jane and Sidney Baxter Outlaw and the eldest of three children.

Marie graduated from Tullahoma High School in Tennessee where she played the clarinet in the band and was a star member of the varsity basketball team. Following high school, she received two bachelor’s degrees in education and business from Austin Peay State College in Clarksville, Tennessee.

While living in Clarksville, Marie met the love of her life, Thomas Kenneth Hunter, a commissioned officer in the 101st Airborne Division stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They married in Clarksville in 1956 and began a life shaped by love and commitment. They moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Tom earned a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. During this time, her two children were born. After graduation, Marie and Tom moved to Vernon, Texas where Tom worked for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Although Tom had left active-duty, he continued serving his country in the National Guard and was called to service and moved his family to Fort Polk, LA. They later moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where Tom earned his PHD in economics from the University of Tennessee. While there, Marie was employed at the Knoxville YWCA as director of the Health and Fitness Program.

Marie and Tom settled in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1968 where Tom accepted a position as professor at Stephen F. Austin State University and Marie pursued her master’s degree from SFA. She taught health and physical education at SFA and then Fredonia Elementary where she dedicated many years of service until her retirement in 1997. While at Fredonia Elementary, Marie was recognized at the state level for her exceptional health and physical education programs receiving statewide awards.

Marie was an active member of Fredonia Hill Baptist Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, the Blue Bonnet Garden Club, ADK fraternity for Educators serving as a district officer, Phi Delta Kappa and the Delta Psi Kappa fraternities for Educators SFA Chapter, and a commissioned member of TAHPER (Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation). She had a vital role in various community outreach programs including Meals on Wheels and Community RX. Marie dedicated 30+ years of devoted volunteer service for the American Red Cross teaching first aid, water safety, and swim lessons. All aspects of her volunteer work reflected her true spirit of service.

Marie and Tom shared a passion for traveling with friends and family, accomplishing their goal of visiting all 50 states, as well as international travel. Marie’s hobbies included swimming, skiing, knitting, ceramics, painting, gardening, playing mahjong, and was an expert bridge player. She loved the outdoors and supported Tom’s passion for deer hunting while spending countless years at a deer camp and sitting in deer stands. Marie and Tom built a loving home together and shared fifty-five cherished years together until Tom’s passing in 2011.

Marie will be remembered for her warm smile and gentle spirit. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her. Her compassionate heart touched the lives of everyone she met.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas Kenneth Hunter of Nacogdoches, TX; brother, John Outlaw of Scottsboro, AL; sister, Janie Outlaw of Powder Springs, GA.

Marie leaves a daughter, Sherrye Lynn Hunt and husband Daryl of Abilene, TX; son, Thomas K. Hunter Jr. and wife Becky of Colorado Springs, CO. She is blessed with five grandchildren; Trey Hunt, Taylor Marie (Hunt) Hart and husband Aaron, Travis Hunter, Luke Hunter, Anna Faye Hunter; 3 great grandchildren, Austin Hunt, Walker Hart, and Hunter Marie Hart. Marie also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Phil Hunter of Osage, OK; two sisters-in-law, Freddie Jo Lawhorn of Sand Springs, OK and Jane Outlaw of Scottsboro, AL.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Sunday, May 3, at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches.