Mary B. Lunday

Mary B. Lunday May 2, 1918 - May 19, 2010 Mary B. Lunday died Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center. Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 22, at Waco Memorial Park with Dr. Jeff Smith officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 21, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home at 6101 Bosque. Mary was born May 2, 1918 in Zephyr, Texas, the youngest child of Robert N. Shelton and Minnie McGaugh Shelton. She graduated from Zephyr High School and Howard Payne University. For almost half a century, Mary was a Texas educator, teaching in Gatesville, Mullin, and La Vega ISD before spending 30 years at Alta Vista Elementary in Waco ISD. She retired in 1986. During her tenure at WISD, in addition to her teaching assignments, Mary taught in Head Start and also developed district-wide curriculum. As a member of Waco ISD, Mary taught in Head Start and developed curriculum bulletins. She was selected as a member of Zeta Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary organization of educators. A guiding force in Mary's life was the Methodist Church, following the example of her father, a Methodist minister. She was an active member and Sunday School teacher at Herring Avenue United Methodist Church from the 1940s until its closing in May of 2001 when her church membership moved to Lake Shore United Methodist Church. Mary also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Mary's legacy is the devotion of all children she taught and the dedication to extended family that she nurtured. To students, friends and family, it is clear that Mary lived by the tenets of her faith. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Edna Driskell, Beulah Lee Shelton, and Ruth Flynn; and three brothers, Wyatt Jolly, W.M. Jack Shelton and Darrell Shelton. She is survived by nieces, Carol Bowlds and husband, Tony of Fallbrook, CA, and Billye Ruth Fox and husband, Bill of Waco; and many former students, including Billie Carol Seely of Waco. The family would like to thank Nelda Kelly, Annett Richards, Patsy Willis, Billy Jean Gause and Beverly Kyle for their care and support during Mary's time at Wesley Woods. Spiritual support by Suzanne Smith, Providence Hospice Chaplain, brought joy and comfort to Mary and her family in her final years. For those wishing to make a memorial gift, the family suggests Alzheimers Association, 6605 Sanger Avenue, Waco or the Waco Humane Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.