Mary E. Addison

Mary Effie Addison returned unto her Lord on Wednesday morning, April 5, 2017 at home in the loving company of her family and the Living God. Born in Donna, Texas to A.G. and Matilda Champion on July 15, 1920; Mary was a longtime resident of Corpus Christi and member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, four brothers, and two sisters. The youngest of her family, Mary was raised, after the death of her mother in childbirth, by her father and eldest sister, Marcella; whose dedication to God, country, and family was clearly passed on to her.

Mary completed her high school studies at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, the city in which she later met her husband, Frank Werlie Addison. In May of 1943, in midst of the Second World War, Frank and Mary wedded, just before his deployment to the European front. She became herself part of the war effort as one of many "Rosies" riveting aircraft for our servicemen at Corpus Christi's Naval Air Station. Upon his safe return from the war, she ceased building machines and began to build a family. Together, Frank and Mary had five children, and family remained a cornerstone of her life until the end. Family gatherings were her most cherished times, and few are those who cannot remember the kindness she showed to any visitor, family or otherwise, to her home in Corpus Christi and, later, in Richardson, Texas, where she lived from 2009. She loved to laugh, and her youthful energy always left an impression on those she encountered.

Mary's contributions to this nation, her community, and her family were numerous and enduring, though she always believed, like so many extraordinary individuals, that her life was a plainly ordinary one. She is survived by her five children; Marvin Addison (Faye), David Addison, Brenda Karm (Rick), Mike Addison (Gladys), and Patricia Lancaster (Robert Anthony); sister-in-law, Rose Champion; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Mary's presence in all of our lives will be sorely missed, but the strength she inspired in all of us makes us grateful for so unique an opportunity to have known such a strong, dedicated, and loving woman.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with a Holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., that same evening.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. with a prior viewing before services, at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered at www.memorygardensfuneralhome.com