Mary Ellen McDaniel Thoes, a beloved spouse, parent, grandparent, great grandparent, sister and friend passed away on August 23, 2023, in Plano, Texas at the age of 89. She was a woman deeply devoted to her faith, marriage, family and ministry. She was born on October 26, 1933, in Tipton, Oklahoma.
Mary Ellen loved music and during her teen years in Hollis, OK she mastered the alto singing range. This talent was prevalent in her life and she often accompanied it on the piano and ukulele. She attended the University of Oklahoma, where she forged lifelong bonds and shared many musical moments with her friends and beloved Alpha Phi sisters.
Mary Ellen often recounted the lessons and insights from her upbringing during the Great Depression, Dust Bowl and WWII, as well as her transformative summers on her grandmother’s Oklahoma farm. She took pride in raising her family, yet also dedicated herself to church ministries and helping others. She wholeheartedly supported her husband, Don, throughout his naval service, business endeavors, and retirement. Their shared travels opened her eyes to cultures vastly different from her own.
We mourn her passing while also celebrating the lasting impact she made. Mary Ellen's vibrant spirit, kindness, and uplifting nature leave an enduring mark on all fortunate enough to have known her.
She and Don were members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in McKinney, Texas.
She is survived by her brother, Max (Carolyn) McDaniel of Jackson, Mississippi; and children: Steve (Jan) Thoes of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sally (Billy) Grammer, of Richardson, Texas and MaryAnn (Dan) Bayer of Chappaqua, New York; as well as her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, Richard Donald Thoes and parents Dolf Archie McDaniel and Nettie Dell (Campbell).
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 3, 2023, with a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Mary Ellen’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/mary-ellen-thoes. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.