Mary Lou Tawater Roberts

On 29 January 2022, Mary Louise ‘Mary Lou’ Tawater Roberts left her mortal existence after 96 years 7 months and 6 days to return home to her Heavenly Father, who waited with open arms. Mary was born 23 June 1925 to Hattie Alma Burts Tawater and Samuel T. Tawater in Mart, Texas. At the age of 16, she married Raymond Brooks Roberts on 27 December 1941. Mary Lou is survived by her 3 daughters: Carolyn Joyce Roberts McMunn and her husband V.C. ‘Mac’ McMunn, Jr. of Kingwood, Texas; Betty Dian Roberts of Provo, Utah; and Linda Louise Roberts Alexander of Big Spring, Texas. Two granddaughters Amber Leeanna McMunn of Kingwood, Texas, and Andrea Lashell McMunn Tedori and her husband Joseph Tedori of Kingwood, Texas. 2 Great grandchildren: Nicolas Tedori and Marisa Tedori.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and one granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Alexander. Mary Lou was the 7th of nine children, 5 sisters and 3 brothers, all who preceded her in death. In their large farming family, she learned the value of both hard work, and doing your very best regardless of the circumstances. She was the favorite aunt to 25 nieces and 45 nephews and too many to count great nieces and nephews, much less to name.

When they moved to San Angelo in April 1950, Mary knew she was home, she fell in love with her town, and the people. She never wanted to live anywhere but San Angelo. Mary Lou joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Galveston, Texas, while Raymond was in the South Pacific. Mary and Raymond became ‘pioneers’ in the small local congregation remaining active in church callings until their deaths.

With only her high school education, Mary stepped forward in life full of energy, with an excitement for learning, and was never one to be idle. Mary Lou competed with many Home Economic graduates, and won the position of Hostess and Cook for the first television cooking program in San Angelo Texas, ‘Cooking with Mary Lou’. The program ran for 3 years on KCTV, which is now known as KLST and featured many famous guests. She served as a field editor for the ‘Taste of Home’ magazine. Mary Lou was employed for 23 years by General Telephone Directory Company, receiving the President’s award for Best Performance in the southwest region for 4 years in a row. After retiring in 1981, she went to work for Housely Communications for a few years.

Mary had three great loves, her family, her faith and her community. She volunteered in the community serving with the Concho Cadre as a member and served a term as president. She received the ‘Outstanding Member of the Year’ award while serving with the Cadre. She also was a VISTA volunteer serving with various elderly organizations in San Angelo. Mary volunteered at Shannon Hospital, directing the Junior Volunteers for three years. She enlisted the help of her three daughters, son-in-law and two granddaughters in Hosting the Santa House in the Headquarters building for Christmas at Old Fort Concho for twenty two Christmases.

She put her volunteer work on hold to serve as a full time missionary in the Oregon Portland Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, from July 1995 until June of 1996.

She loved people and had a beautiful smile. It has been said by many they felt so happy when they were around her as she brought a ray of sunshine with her. Mary Lou will be greatly missed by her family and friends.