Taleta Boen Mabry

Taleta Mabry passed away on Monday, November 21, 2011, in Friona, Texas. Memorial services to celebrate her life will be at Resthaven Memorial Park at 10:00 AM Wednesday. Israel Lewis and Gabe Moudy, grandsons, will conduct the ceremony. Visitation for friends and family will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Resthaven.

Taleta Boen was born to John and Anna Boen on November 15, 1913, in Konawa, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of six children, four brothers and one sister. She graduated from Prairie Hill School near ElDorado, Oklahoma. In 1938, Taleta graduated from Central State Teachers College in Edmund with a degree in commerce. She taught business and math in Davidson, Oklahoma in 1939. On May 20, 1939, Taleta married James D. Mabry in Altus, Oklahoma. Shortly after their marriage they moved to California where James served in the U. S. Army, and Taleta worked (during the “Rosy the Riveter” days) as a quality control metal inspector at Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica.

Taleta and James moved to Friona in 1948 where James was engaged in farming. While in Friona, Taleta was actively involved with her children serving as a Girl Scout leader and a 4-H advisor. She also was a dedicated Bible school teacher at the 6th Street Church of Christ. In 1959 the Mabrys moved to Lazbuddie where they owned and operated a cotton gin. Taleta served as a substitute teacher while pursuing her study of mathematics at Eastern New Mexico University. She also pursued her love of art by taking lessons from acclaimed artists across the United States. In 1980 James and Taleta retired to Lake Texoma. James fished, and Taleta continued to paint. In 1985, they moved to Lubbock. While in Lubbock the Mabrys were active members of Sunset Church of Christ.

Taleta was preceded in death by her husband James in 1988, her parents, and three brothers. She is survived by two sons, Jimmy (Betty) of Lubbock, John (Carole) of Allen: two daughters, Margaret Gleason (Jerry) of Levelland, Terri Carthel (Malcolm) of Friona. She is survived by twelve grandchildren: James Mabry of Anchorage, Alaska; Mark Mabry of Lubbock; Neill Mabry of Grand Prairie; Jimmy Gleason of Levelland; Jacinda Watson of The Woodlands; Jay Gleason of Lubbock; Jerry Lionel of Levelland; Leslie Lewis of Sulphur Springs; Jill Moudy of Plainview; Michael Mabry of Allen; Kim Herring of Vega; and Tracy Carthel of Friona. She is also survived by sixteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving Taleta are two siblings, sister Terri Dawson of Franklin, Tennessee, and brother Darwin Boen of Indio, California.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to the James D. Mabry Memorial Scholarship Fund at Lubbock Christian University, 5601 W. 19th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79407 or to Prairie Acres Nursing Home, 201 E. 15th Street, Friona, Texas 79035.

Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.