Mary Wong Shem

Mary Wong was born in Portsmouth, Virginia February 26,1930 to father Sai Mun Wong @ 45 and Lim Shee Wong @ 28.

Her father ran a laundry in Virginia with his two brothers until 1934. He sent his brothers to Texas in search of gold, but they found a grocery business. In 1934 he packed his family in a 2 door sedan and moved the family to San Antonio, Texas to join his brothers at the Sunlight Grocery store, down the street from Fort Sam Houston. They later bought the property next to the store and built The China Inn Restaurant.

Mary and her 11 siblings attended the San Antonio (Chinese) First Baptist Church. The Chinese youths from San Antonio and Houston First Baptist Church would socialize, where she met her husband to be, June Joe Shem. June was from a family of 9. They had a long distance courtship from Houston to San Antonio. He was 4 years older than her and some thought he was a little old for her, but she didn’t think so. Her mother continued to live in San Antonio till 2010 and passed at 108.

They married on June 25,1948 and moved to Houston, Texas. They lived on the second floor of King and Brothers grocery store on Liberty Road. They had their first two sons Charles and Bill, before buying a home on 503 E. Janisch in the Glenburnie neighborhood. There they had 2 more sons, Alan and Dave. She also helped raise their nephew - Mitchell King and considered him an adopted son. There were many Chinese families in this neighborhood at the time. There were many Chinese families in our neighborhood and many other boys would hang out and consider it their second home. She was very active in the Allen Elementary PTA – which included PTA meetings, School carnivals, paper drives and would car pool the neighbor’s children to and from school. The family moved to the current house at 406 W. Donovan in the 1980’s. At the new location there was an acre of land where they were able to garden and hold parties.

She was very active in the new Chinese Baptist Church on 1823 Lamar and was a Sunday School teacher. She had been there during many changes and continued to attend when they moved to 900 Brogden. There she continued to teach Sunday School and VBS. She would bring snacks and toys for her students.

Mary did the accounting and appointments for SHEM’S A/C business while her husband worked at the VA Hospital. The company serviced many of the Chinese grocery stores and restaurants in Houston. Mary would go on service calls with him as his helper.

When June passed on May 13,1986 at 59 while on an A/C service call, she kept herself occupied with the church. She would go to church meetings and take sermon notes for anyone that wanted them. She would help serve many lunches and served in many different areas. Mary was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 596. She helped start the Rainbow Senior Fellowship at the Chinese Baptist Church and very involved. She enjoyed going on many field trips. Mary enjoyed bringing goodies to the many field trips and would help watch over the older seniors while they had fun.

Mary also helped in multiple Asian American Festivals in the 1980’s. She was also active in the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.).

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to our Mother's beloved Chinese Baptist Church, address 900 Brogden Rd., Houston, TX. 77024; online at cbchouston.org/onlinegiving.html

Celebration of Life Livestream on 10/10/25. - contact Chinese Baptist Church or a family member