Mary

Willis

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Mary Jane Willis

Aug 29 1927 - Jan 01 2023

How does one put into words the life of someone who has loved and touched so many lives over 95 years? Mary Jane Sartwelle Willis was born on August 29, 1927 in Houston, Texas to James Williams Sartwelle and Lura Charlotte (Arnold) Sartwelle. She is preceded in death by the love of her life her husband Robert Hilliard Willis, both of her parents and her six siblings: James Dinsmore Sartwelle, Helen Charlotte Buckley, William Henry Sartwelle, her twin sister Caroline Olivia (Kay) Buffaloe, Robert Arnold Sartwelle and Margaret Lura DeBardeleben. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Elizabeth Sherman and husband Peter of Sugar Land, Texas, daughter Charlotte Ann Cheek and husband Paul of Tom Bean, Texas, daughter Alice Catherine Schott and husband Gary of Bells, Texas, son Robert Hiram Willis and wife Sherry of Boerne, Texas; grandchildren Brian Cheek and wife Susan, Kristen Staggs and husband Monty, Josh Cheek and wife Amy, Melissa Skovdal and husband Bruno, Lauren Schott and husband Rick Rodriguez, Kevin Schott and wife Emily, Andrew Schott and Katie, Tiffany Cloud and husband Wade, Sarah Roberts and husband Garrett, Rachel Higginbotham and husband Jeremy, Amy Johnson and husband Drew. Great-grandchildren: Carly and Carter Crispin, Mason and Zoe Staggs, Brayden and Karina Skovdal, Rowan Roberts; Maddie, Ally and Hunter Cheek, Ella and Natalie Cheek; Mary Finley, Teddy and Beau Schott; Trinity and Wesson Cloud, Jack, Adam and Luke Higginbotham, Jesse and Sammy Johnson and one great-great grandchild: Eleanor Crispin. And there are so many nieces and nephews (greats and grands included) from a very large and loving Sartwelle clan that survive her.

May, as she was known her whole life, grew up in Houston graduating from Lamar High School and then on to Texas State College for Women pursuing her love of art and fashion design. She and Bob were sweethearts from early on in their neighborhood of Southhampton, where they rode bikes back and forth where Rice University now stands, dating during her time in college and his stent in the Navy during WWII. May and Bob married in 1946 and spent 59 years of marriage living in Bellaire, Houston, Sugarland, and her final years in Sherman and Denison.  The love of Our Lord and her spiritual gifts of serving and giving were evident throughout her life as they were long time members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston and Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Sugarland.  She loved attending and supporting Kentuckytown Baptist Church in Whitewright when she moved up to North Texas to be closer to daughters Alice (who has been her devoted helper these past 5 years) and Charlotte (backup).

May’s sharp wit, sense of humor, decorating prowess, proper etiquette, love of entertaining and a deep love and devotion for all of her family will always be remembered with a smile for sure.

All of her family rejoices in her peaceful passing and her eternal presence with Our Lord.  Rest in peace Mary Jane Sartwelle Willis – you were well loved!

A memorial service and celebration of May’s life will be at Kentuckytown Baptist Church, 264 Kentuckytown Road, Whitewright, TX 75491 on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 in the morning.  

Memorials

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