Mary Alice Rupard

A miracle baby, less than three pounds, she was born October 20, 1930 in Massillon, Ohio to Harold Anton and Ada Mae Kraft. She grew up in her Lutheran church as a very strong Christian girl, singing in the choir and playing the piano. She graduated from Washington High School, worked in the local dairy, and she enjoyed skating where she met Jack Rupard. In his words, "we really just got along well."

Married June 25, 1950, they lived in England and Mississippi and then settled in Burkburnett, Texas for 15 years while Jack was stationed at Sheppard AFB, performing two tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict. She was the consummate strong military wife who raised five active children in the Methodist church, joined the PTA, and loved watching children in her home. From this simple beginning, she built a business and eventually owned her own fully staffed "Aunt Mary's Daycare." A number of her kiddos have continued to remain in touch.

In the early 70s, the family relocated to San Antonio where it continued to grow. She cared for her many grandchildren with her extraordinary sacrificial love, sharing her deep belief in God and her faith in Christ to us all. She imparted the value of family and closeness and connection. She truly believed that family was everything and passed on a legacy that will withstand the test of time. She loved bird watching, all nature, sports, and had a deep love of quilting and the quilting family she was blessed to know. Most of all, Mary Rupard loved the Lord. She believed in prayer and the peace that communion with Him brings to every situation, never hesitating to hold a loved one close, to pray blessings over them when parting, or to continue to lift them up in prayer every day.

She is survived by her husband Jack Rupard, three of her five children, Jacqueline Nelson, Rachael Kidwell, and Jack Rupard Jr., as well as her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Please join us in celebrating her life at 6:00pm on Sunday, June 23rd at:

New Vision Community Church

14515 O’Connor Rd

San Antonio, TX 78247

Flowers and donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, https://www.vfw.org

or the Paralyzed Veterans of America, https://www.pva.org/ are welcome.