Mary Elizabeth Wakefield

In 1946, after graduating from Austin High School, she went to work as a secretary at Bergstrom Air Force Base (Austin). There, she met Captain Jack Wakefield, an Army Air Corps Pilot. In September of that year, they were married, and in 1947, their son Steven was born. Scott, their second son, would come along later. Most of her young adult years were spent in San Antonio, raising her two boys, and eventually earning her Associate Degree from San Antonio College. In 1967, she moved to Austin, and went to work for the State of Texas.

She spent 22 years as a state employee, where her career culminated with an appointment as the Chief Clerk for the Texas State Supreme Court (1985-1988). She was the first woman to hold the office. As chief clerk, she administered the oath given to all new attorneys (after passing the state Bar Exam). Additionally, she worked closely with the Texas State Supreme Court judges, and many of the most prestigious law firms in the state.

When not working, she enjoyed gardening, traveling and reading. Her specialties in gardening included roses, begonias, and especially African Violets. Steven built her a hot house where she could keep her most valued plants alive all year. Later in life, she was able to travel to Hawaii and many sites throughout the U.S.

However, the thing we remember most about mother was her steadfast sense of integrity. We all think we know the meaning of integrity, but her definition went beyond what most people practice. To her, integrity meant that all thoughts, actions and deeds were put through an integrity filter that required honesty, fairness and decency. If it didn’t meet her criteria, she would have nothing to do with it. Her uncompromising character often earned her a reputation of being obstinate. And it is true that we accused her of that from time to time. But, there are no words to express how fortunate, and indeed privileged, we were to be raised by someone so pure of mind and heart. Of course, we now know that it is her very soul that is pure. Few of us are truly irreplaceable. She is the exception. She will be terribly missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Marks Sr. and wife Mary; her brother Joseph Marks Jr. (Joe) and brother Richard (Dick) Marks. She is survived by her son Steven; son Scott and wife Bonnie; grandson Zachary and wife Leah and great grandchildren Patricia, Bevin and William; brother William (Bill) and wife Marlene (Molly); brother Phillip and wife Janie; and sister-in-law Linda.

Graveside services will be held at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas at 2:00p on Monday, December 28. Reception following.