Mom

My Mom passed away this week.  My younger sis and I came up with the following obituary.  Please, know I feel a great relief for Mom as she suffered several complications the last two months.  The real problem started 11 years ago when her husband of almost 70 years died.  She just never recovered completely.  She continued to survive in a ever more lonely existence as her siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends and even grandchildren and son in law preceded her in death.  Mom was ready to leave the confines of a body that no longer could be trusted as a worthy vessel for her soul.

shattered silence
announcing life.s end
hearts broken

a cardinal leads the white doves
into the morning sunrise

©  Janice Adcock

Mary Helen Chandler Rogers, 96, formerly of Allen, Texas passed away on January 28, 2015 in Flower Mound, Texas.  Mary was born near Weston, Texas on September 11, 1918 to Marvin and Maggie Chandler. She grew up in the communities of Weston and Chambersville where she was schooled.   Mary met and shortly after her graduation from Chambersville School married her husband Arleigh Rogers. Their four daughters were raised in Chambersville and Allen.

A life-long member of the Methodist Church she was always pleased to share that her name appeared on the cradle role at Chambersville Methodist Church at birth. She served in volunteer and leadership roles in both Chambersville and Allen United Methodist Churches.  Mary lived her faith by ministering at work, in local schools, 4-H, civic and other community services.

Mary had three outstanding achievements in her various careers outside the home.  In 1947 she was the first female bus driver in Collin County, running the bus in all weather for 13 years. In the 1950's, as a farm wife, she brought in the first trailer of cotton at the Weston gin. In 1958 she began a 20 + year career at Texas Instruments, where in the mid 60's she was awarded an Incentive Recognition Award for outstanding work.  Above all, her number one job was wife, mother, grandmother and home maker.  A natural cook, she was always prepared for Sunday dinner’s company. You knew the doors were open, the pies were cooling and all were welcome.

Mentored as a young girl by her grandmother and a neighbor, Mary became an expert in textile, fiber and needle arts. Honing her skills as she clothed four daughters she became renown for her sewing ability. She created both every day garments, special occasion ensembles and wedding gowns. Her spare time was spent knitting, crocheting and fashioning every kind of craft for fund raising bazaars, friends and family.   She was a very active member of the Chambersville Community Harvest Festival quilting bee after her retirement.

Mary had a quick wit and sense of humor. Always ready with a good joke or funny quip, her motto was, "Sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying."  Her memory held large amounts of family and community history and she shared it freely. Mary took pride in being a third generation Texan.  Trace her roots back, you will find pioneering families of Collin County and the state of Texas. You could always count on her to remember some detail of a long-ago event. But she wasn't just interested in the past. She had a keen interest in pop culture and politics, staying very current.  She was a life-long proclaimed "yellow dog" democrat, often campaigning and voting in every election. She took pride in the fact that as a child she once sat on the lap of Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn and he encouraged her interest in politics.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers Ross, Arl, Jim, Fred, Tommy (Bud) and Clay Chandler, sister, Opal Chandler Lentz, sister-in-law Amelia Rogers Tuton, son on law, Jack Baldwin, great grandson, Michael Paul Baldwin, and her husband of 70 years, Arleigh Edgar Rogers.

She is survived by her daughters Margaret Calhoun, Suzie Littrell and husband Royce, Janice Adcock and husband Gene, Arlene Powell and husband Doug. Also, 10 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law Billie Rogers Stone, a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Mary never met a stranger.  She will be missed by all who love her.

Pall bearers and grandchildren - Michael Baldwin, Don Littrell, Steven Littrell, John Baldwin, Kathy Baldwin Edmonds, Leigh Ann Littrell Womack, John Roger Adcock, Matthew Powell, Elaina Powell Beckman and Andrew Powell