Mary Reba Raley

She was born August 29, 1918, in Bedias, Texas, to the late Willis Cody and Reba Pruett.

Mary was an observant, generous, organized, talkative and friendly lady. Always well-dressed and polite, she loved family gatherings and entertained all with her dry humor and stories. The past 6 years, Mary has lived with her daughter Annette and her helpful, caring family.

Mary was the first of three girls and spent much of her childhood in Waco, Texas, and Muskogee, Oklahoma. As a result of contracting polio at age 8, she became an excellent reader, seamstress and proficient at embroidery, knitting, and crocheting. Designing dresses for her dolls, she then began a continuing doll collection that later included bears.

Mary graduated from Baylor University in 1940 with a Bachelor's degree in English and French. She taught school several years before and after marrying. As a war bride to Claude Raley in 1942, they had only one week together before he left to serve in the Army Air Corps in Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Italy for 3 years. They then started their family and traveled to France, Japan, California, and retired in San Antonio. She would later say, "We moved 17 times in 24 years."

She loved teens and taught English at Lackland High School for 20 years. She received an award for 25 years of teaching in Texas schools at her retirement. She was a member of the DAR and Daughters of the Texas Revolution as well as many other clubs relating to military life and teaching.

She loved to read and write, and she studied family history. She will be missed by all who loved and knew her.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, LTC Claude Mason Raley, USAF; sons, Michael Cody and Patrick Mason Raley; and grandson, Christopher Michael Woolbright.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Claudia Doncov and husband, Nick, Annette Smith and husband, Clay, Suzanne Raley and Marilyn Ozan; grandchildren, Melynda Poder and husband, Françios, Elijah, Dimitri, Celina and Nicole Doncov, Liralen Canion and husband, Mike, Mason and Micah Smith, and Matthew Woolbright; great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Hannah Doncov, and Alexander Canion; sisters, Ethel Venable and husband, John, and Jimmie Curry; brother-in-law, Coleman Raley and wife, Fern.

One of her great loves was sending children to summer camp. To continue this legacy, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary's name to Northwest Park Baptist Church, 8550 Bowens Crossing, San Antonio, Texas, 78250.