Mary Lucile Graham of Frisco, Texas, went to be with the Lord at age 77 on August 25, 2023. Following a long journey of Alzheimer’s, she is now freed from the restraints of this disease. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved parents Roger and Rena Lollar Graham and seven siblings Sybil, Bobbie, Jan, Dixie, Guy, John, and Phil. Those left to miss this bright spirit are an abundance of loved nieces and nephews, Mary Still, Russ Sharer, Randy Sharer, Jeff Sharer, Traci Neff, Tami Bartholomew, Teri Wells, Jason Neff, Michael Graham, Roger Graham, Cheryl Ruselink, Christina Cress, Mark Graham, Matthew Graham, and great-nieces and great-nephews too numerous to count. She was known by her family as "Mimi".
Unique. Extraordinary. Remarkable. Phenomenal. Amazing. These words, heard repeatedly as descriptions of Mary, only approach the essence. The descriptions are born in truth, but not to be expected of a girl born in Miami, Oklahoma, and raised in tiny Picher, Oklahoma. As the youngest of 8 children, Mary honed her extraordinary social and verbal skills in the midst of such a large and vibrant family. She loved to talk… and laugh… and was highly gifted at both!
Mary was a state champion debater in high school and mastered the appropriate skill sets which later supported her gift of persuasion. Initially Mary wanted to be a teacher and earned her BA and MA at California State University in Fresno. Rather than limit her to 25 students, God directed her path to the world stage as her classroom. In 1969, Bill Bright, founder and President of Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as Cru), invited Mary to visit Crusade Headquarters in Arrowhead Springs, California, to become acquainted with the organization and its mission. Mary loved Crusade, joined staff, and her first assignment was on the University of New Mexico campus. Her career advanced quickly from trainee to senior leadership.
She left Crusade (Cru) in 1991 and accepted an invitation to work with Insight for Living, the headquarters of the Chuck Swindoll Radio Ministry. She later served on the Insight for Living Board of Directors for 23 years. When she retired from the board due to Alzheimer’s, she was awarded an Honorary Board Membership for Life.
Following Mary’s work with Insight for Living, she accepted Bill Bright’s suggestion to move to Cru headquarters in Orlando, Florida. There she continued in radio broadcast by assisting with the launch of Vonette Bright’s radio program, Women Today.
In 1996, Bill Bright once again influenced Mary’s life trajectory by suggesting she join a small newly formed group of female Christian speakers and deliver the gospel at their speaking engagements. With this challenge, Mary’s peerless leadership skills, organizational talents, and clarity of vision culminated and blossomed into the world changing Women of Faith. As Mary and her stellar team strived for perfection, Women of Faith eventually became the largest Christian women’s conference in the world with original speakers Patsy Clairmont, Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, and soon thereafter, Thelma Wells. Many other gifted speakers, singers, and dramatists have graced the WOF platform through the decades. In the ensuing 20 plus years as President of Women of Faith, and Executive VP of Thomas Nelson live events, Mary remained focused on every minute detail. It is noteworthy that the conferences were held in 91 cities, hundreds of books were published, the events were attended by nearly 6 million women and girls (and numerous men 😊), 465,893 attendees made decisions to accept Christ, and 233,614 children were sponsored through World Vision! As a treasured colleague and friend of hers recognized, Mary was only concerned with the latter two numbers… how many decisions were made for Christ and how many precious children were sponsored.
Mary Graham lived her life with a singular intention: to HELP. Her guiding compass was to help share God’s word. She was also known for helping others with her generosity of time, friendship, connection, gifts, wisdom, leadership, and loving heart. Oh… and she LOVED babies… every baby… in every nation. Her friends are smiling now hearing her say “Bring me that baby!”
Mary Lucile Graham… a woman blessed with more friends than we can count, more accolades than can be absorbed, and a legacy that will last for generations and generations to come. She was phenomenal… and she was phenomenally loved!
A Celebration of Life memorial will be held at 4:00 p.m., October 7, 2023, at Stonebriar Community Church, 4801 Legendary Drive, Frisco, Texas 75034. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cru, Insight for Living, World Vision, or the charity of your choice.
With special heartfelt gratitude to The Cottages at Chapel Creek and to Ney Bailey and Kim Bailey for their loving care of Mary.