Mary Ellen Gregory

Mary Ellen Ikard Gregory passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in Wichita Falls at the age of 88. A memorial service has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at First United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend John Dillard. A private family interment is scheduled prior to the service.

Mrs. Gregory was born September 7, 1922 in Hearne, Texas to Mary Ellen and Allen Weeks. As a child her family took many interesting train trips with her father’s railroad passes. One of her favorite trips was being able to go to the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, IL where she got to see President Roosevelt. She graduated from Hearne High School in 1938 and Texas Woman’s University in 1942 with a Bachelors Degree in music.

A woman of many interests and careers, Mrs. Gregory was a band director in the late 40’s at several high schools including Archer City High School. Later, she received two Masters Degrees and was a reading teacher at Kate Burgess Elementary School and the librarian at Kirby Junior High School. She married Don Ikard in 1948 and R.T. (Greg) Gregory in 1978.

After retiring in 1983 Mrs. Gregory managed the family ranch and enjoyed taking care of her cattle in Archer County. She was also a master gardener and avid bell collector. She spent years researching her family genealogy, traveling around the country to do so.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Wichita Falls.

Mrs. Gregory’s passion was traveling, and she loved traveling all over the world. Most recently she enjoyed a cruise to Alaska.

Mrs. Gregory is survived by four children, Kay Preston, George Ikard, Alan Ikard, and Brian Ikard all of Wichita Falls; sister, Alice Bruce of Kirkwood, Mo; grandchildren, Matthew Preston and wife Lindsay, Kyle Preston and wife Avery, and Laura Ritchie and husband Joshua. She was anticipating the birth of her first great-grandchild soon.

Mrs. Gregory was preceded in death by her husband Don Ikard in 1965, her husband R.T. Gregory in 1986, and father and mother in 1958 and 1963 respectively.

Visitation will be held 4:00-6:00 p.m., Monday, May 30, 2011 at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.

The family wishes to acknowledge the dedication and care of Mrs. Gregory by Sandy Archer, Home Instead Senior Care and the House of Hope.

If desired, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.