Mary Sue was born March 7, 1929 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to G.T. “Terry” and Stella Way. As the daughter of an oilfield store manager, she moved around the Southwest for much of her childhood. Her father’s nickname for her was “Shube” which followed her the rest of her life. She talked fondly of her time at her grandparents’ ranch in Utopia, Texas, riding horses on the fence lines with her grandfather. She played the bassoon in the school band and she graduated from Seminole High School in Seminole, OK. She attended her freshman year at Sophie Newcomb Memorial College in New Orleans, LA.
She then attended Oklahoma State University, where she met the love of her life, Robert E. “Bob” Reeder. They met on a blind date. Mary Sue was an Alpha Chi Omega and Bob was a Tau Kappa Epsilon. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in home economics in May 1951, and they were married shortly after on August 25, 1951. Since Bob was only 20, he had to get parental permission to get married. They lived in Stillwater, OK while Bob finished his college education. After graduation in 1952, they moved several times following Bob’s career before settling in Houston, TX in 1954 where she spent the rest of her life.
Mary Sue was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and she was famous for her chocolate chip cookies! She was also a dedicated daughter, sharing a special relationship with both of her parents and caring for her mother at home until Stella passed away at the age of 101. She had great love, pride and appreciation for her family. Through the years, she supported three different generations at countless sports games, school performances, dance recitals, etc. She was always just a phone call away for an encouraging word, a cooking tip, or a listening ear.
Throughout their marriage, Mary Sue and Bob loved to travel! She visited all fifty states, many by way of roadtrip, as well as several foreign countries. She also loved her Astros. They went to games regularly and she was in attendance at the first game in the Astrodome. Even in her later years, she didn’t miss a game on TV. Shube also enjoyed going out to eat. Seafood, especially crab cakes, was one of her favorite foods! She had quite the sweet tooth and there was always “room for dessert” after dinner and ice cream in the freezer. Throughout her life, she had a positive attitude and never was there a cross word.
The Farm in Flatonia, TX was a very special place for Gram. Her parents retired there in 1959 and it has been in the family ever since. Many gatherings take place at The Farm and we have wonderful memories of birthdays, 4th of July celebrations, Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas. Sugar cookie decorating has been passed down for generations and Gram was such a special part of that tradition.
Mary Sue and Bob resided in Bellaire, then Meyerland and have attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for over 50 years. She enjoyed reading the Bible and attending religious studies classes over the years. She was a woman of strong faith and loved her church family.
Mary Sue is survived by her husband of almost 70 years, Robert E. “Bob” Reeder. Their love and dedication to each other is incredibly rare. Bob loved buying her special gifts throughout their marriage and Shube would make special meals for Bobby that she didn’t even like to eat herself, like liver & onions and oyster dressing at Thanksgiving…now that’s love!
Honoring her memory are her children, son Robert E. “Rob” Reeder, Jr., his wife Pam, and daughter Terry Sue (Reeder) O’Kelley, and her husband Mike.
Her loving grandchildren include Carrie (O’Kelley) Prati, her husband Martin, Kevin O’Kelley, Katie (Reeder) Prentice, her husband Ben, and Kelley (Reeder) DeCleene, and her husband Logan.
Gram was quite proud of her great-grandchildren, twin brothers Jack and Kyle Prati, Murphy Prentice, and Mason and Juliet DeCleene. She continuously bragged on all of them, and loved them very much!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that donations be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in honor of Mary Sue Reeder.
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