Mary A. Gossett

Gossett, 88, died Saturday, February 10, 2018 in Odessa, Texas. She is survived by her son Perry Joe Gossett and his wife Sandy of Seabrook, TX; her daughter Sherry Jane Miller and her husband Paul of Odessa, TX; her son Kerry (George) Gossett of Austin, TX; and her son Kelly James Gossett of Odessa. Also 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and many beloved step - children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary was born in Negritos, Peru on July 21, 1929 to Perry (Bud) Ferguson and Grace Ferguson of Davis, OK. When Mary was just one year old her family transferred to El Centro, Colombia deep in the South American jungle and lived there until she was 12. As a child, she also briefly lived in Burbank, CA and Davis, OK. In 1941 Mary and her parents moved to Odessa, TX. She attended public schools there until she graduated Odessa High School in 1947. Mary then went to Texas State College for Women (now Texas Women's University) in Denton, TX, majoring in Art—a love in which she engaged as a volunteer for the rest of her life. In 1948 she married Charles Gossett in Odessa and lived there the remainder of her life.

She has been an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Odessa since 1956. She was a life member of the Women of the Church and served the church as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels and many other capacities until recently. One of her greatest loves was attending the annual Bloys Camp Meeting in Fort Davis, TX.

Mary spoke fluent Spanish from her days in South America, which proved useful when she partnered with her husband Charlie running their car sales business, Top Notch Auto Sales, from 1966-1986. At that time, the only Spanish speaking car business in Odessa. Later Mary owned and ran Eurotan Tanning in Odessa from 1986 until her retirement in 1994.

Mary's love of traveling, her entire life, took her to South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Florida, Chicago, New York and all points in between.

She also loved square dancing (Odessa Jeans & Queens), water skiing, painting and crafts, horseback riding, and gardening (lifetime member of the Odessa Garden Club).

Her first love was always her family. Along with her husband, there was nothing she would not do for her children. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Brownie/Girl Scout Troop leader. During the 20+ years that Mary had children in public schools, she served on the PTA and as an elementary school room mom for each of her four children participating in the organization and execution of Halloween carnivals, parties, plays & field trips. Mary was a dance mom actively engaged in all the recitals of her daughter. She was a swim team mom for the Odessa Aquatic Club driving station wagon loads of swimmers all over Texas for events as well as an avid fan of her four high school swimmers. She was present for every practice session of her son’s garage band and was their number one supporter. She was a great encourager of her children’s academic and vocational pursuits ultimately seeing all of them successfully engaged in fulfilling vocations and avocations as adults.

Mary’s well-spent life has been the epitome of service above self, grace, love, compassion and non-judgmental acceptance of all with whom she ever had contact. Her greatest legacy is the example she has left for all her family and friends. The family thanks God for her and joins her many loved ones in celebrating her beautiful life.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian.