Mary Louise (Cook) Healer
Mary Louise (Cook) Healer was born in Mulberry Canyon, South of Merkel, in Taylor County, Texas on Feb. 2, 1941, to Artist I. and Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook.
She graduated from Merkel High School in May of 1941 and married Francis Edward Healer on June 1 of the same year at New Live Oak Baptist Church in Mulberry Canyon. She and Mr. Healer made their home in Sweetwater following their marriage, where both were employed by Leland Glass at the Sunbeam Grocery Store on Oak Street. They were married for almost 53 years at the time of Mr. Healer's death May 18, 1994.
Mrs. Healer saw her husband off to World War II in 1944. During this period, she drove a jeep at the Tye Air Base (Civil Service). Colonel Wellington always requested that she drive him whenever it was possible. Mr. Healer was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army following critical injuries received in Huertgen Forest, Germany in November, 1945. Mrs. Healer took her wedding vows seriously as she nursed him back to health (as good as he would know it for the remainder of his life). She was a good caretaker and constant companion.
Mr. Healer surrendered to preach on a troop train, telling God that he would preach for Him if he would only be able to return home. He made good on his promise, making Mrs. Healer a "preacher's wife", a role that she was honored to fill. She was a dutiful servant to God alongside her husband. They attended associational church meetings, led youth groups, taught Sunday School and together shepherded the churches they served.
They raised five little "preacher's kids", always demonstrating their love, discipline and encouragement toward them as they all grew into adulthood. There was hardly ever a band trip made without Bro. and Mrs. Healer as chaperones (much to the dismay of their three daughters…but they outgrew it). She was a wonderful, Christian Mother.
Once the children were out of the nest, Mrs. Healer made the decision to attend the secretarial program at the local Texas State Technical Institute, graduating in the mid-70's. Afterward, she founded a program called "Sunshine Inn", a place for mentally challenged persons in the Sweetwater area. It was under the sponsorship of the Sweetwater Jaycees. She was known as "Mama Healer" to her clients. Smiles were always big on their faces, and especially on the face of Mrs. Healer, for she loved each student dearly.
Mrs. Healer retired from Sunshine Inn in the early 1980's, at the same time Bro. Healer retired from preaching. From that point forward, Bro. and Mrs. Healer served together in various capacities at Lamar Street Baptist Church.
Mrs. Healer was a resident of Sweetwater from 1941 until 2008 when she moved to University Place in Abilene. Here, she lived and enjoyed the friends she made until dementia forced her move to Nolan Nursing here in Sweetwater, where she had resided since 2013.
Mrs. Healer went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Nolan Nursing, Sweetwater, Texas.
Lots can be learned from the life of Mary Healer. She was a servant, a friend, a confidant, a Christian. "A smile costs nothing, but gives much." She gave away lots of smiles, even up until her recent illness.
Survivors include:
Children: 2 sons, Frank Healer and wife Janice of Potosi, James Healer and wife Judy of McKinney; 3 daughters, Janie Davis and husband Delbert of Sweetwater, Anita Jones and husband Dearl of Nolan, and Becky Healer of Pensacola, FL.
9 Grandchildren: Lori Wilson and husband Brent of McKinney, Larry Healer and Debra Loven of Snyder/Sweetwater, Jim Healer and wife Monica of McKinney, Jason Healer and wife Debbie of Fort Worth, Jared Healer and fiance' Dana Karels of McKinney/San Antonio, Scott Davis and fiance' Cindy Rodriquez of Irving, Chris Bixler and wife Karla of Montgomery, Cade Jobe and wife Bana of Austin, and Kearci Smith and husband Lewis of Plano.
14 Great-grandsons and 6 great-granddaughters
Sister: Betty Joyce Pannell of Travelers Rest, SC
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. F.E. Healer in 1994; her father, Artist Ingram Cook in 1964; her mother, Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook in 1964; her sister, Mildred Jean Cook in 1936; her brother, J.W. Cook in 1990; her sister, Pauline (Cook) Herrington in 2000 and her granddaughter, Hillary Shae Davis in 1982.
Funeral services will be held at Lamar Street Baptist Church in Sweetwater at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017, with Rev. Keith Clifton officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Family visitation will be Saturday, December 31, 2016, at McCoy Funeral Home, Sweetwater, Texas, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Donations may be made to Hendrick Hospice, Abilene, Texas in memory of Mrs. Healer.
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Mary Louise (Cook) Healer was born in Mulberry Canyon, South of Merkel, in Taylor County, Texas on Feb. 2, 1941, to Artist I. and Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook.
She graduated from Merkel High School in May of 1941 and married Francis Edward Healer on June 1 of the same year at New Live Oak Baptist Church in Mulberry Canyon. She and Mr. Healer made their home in Sweetwater following their marriage, where both were employed by Leland Glass at the Sunbeam Grocery Store on Oak Street. They were married for almost 53 years at the time of Mr. Healer's death May 18, 1994.
Mrs. Healer saw her husband off to World War II in 1944. During this period, she drove a jeep at the Tye Air Base (Civil Service). Colonel Wellington always requested that she drive him whenever it was possible. Mr. Healer was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army following critical injuries received in Huertgen Forest, Germany in November, 1945. Mrs. Healer took her wedding vows seriously as she nursed him back to health (as good as he would know it for the remainder of his life). She was a good caretaker and constant companion.
Mr. Healer surrendered to preach on a troop train, telling God that he would preach for Him if he would only be able to return home. He made good on his promise, making Mrs. Healer a "preacher's wife", a role that she was honored to fill. She was a dutiful servant to God alongside her husband. They attended associational church meetings, led youth groups, taught Sunday School and together shepherded the churches they served.
They raised five little "preacher's kids", always demonstrating their love, discipline and encouragement toward them as they all grew into adulthood. There was hardly ever a band trip made without Bro. and Mrs. Healer as chaperones (much to the dismay of their three daughters…but they outgrew it). She was a wonderful, Christian Mother.
Once the children were out of the nest, Mrs. Healer made the decision to attend the secretarial program at the local Texas State Technical Institute, graduating in the mid-70's. Afterward, she founded a program called "Sunshine Inn", a place for mentally challenged persons in the Sweetwater area. It was under the sponsorship of the Sweetwater Jaycees. She was known as "Mama Healer" to her clients. Smiles were always big on their faces, and especially on the face of Mrs. Healer, for she loved each student dearly.
Mrs. Healer retired from Sunshine Inn in the early 1980's, at the same time Bro. Healer retired from preaching. From that point forward, Bro. and Mrs. Healer served together in various capacities at Lamar Street Baptist Church.
Mrs. Healer was a resident of Sweetwater from 1941 until 2008 when she moved to University Place in Abilene. Here, she lived and enjoyed the friends she made until dementia forced her move to Nolan Nursing here in Sweetwater, where she had resided since 2013.
Mrs. Healer went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Nolan Nursing, Sweetwater, Texas.
Lots can be learned from the life of Mary Healer. She was a servant, a friend, a confidant, a Christian. "A smile costs nothing, but gives much." She gave away lots of smiles, even up until her recent illness.
Survivors include:
Children: 2 sons, Frank Healer and wife Janice of Potosi, James Healer and wife Judy of McKinney; 3 daughters, Janie Davis and husband Delbert of Sweetwater, Anita Jones and husband Dearl of Nolan, and Becky Healer of Pensacola, FL.
9 Grandchildren: Lori Wilson and husband Brent of McKinney, Larry Healer and Debra Loven of Snyder/Sweetwater, Jim Healer and wife Monica of McKinney, Jason Healer and wife Debbie of Fort Worth, Jared Healer and fiance' Dana Karels of McKinney/San Antonio, Scott Davis and fiance' Cindy Rodriquez of Irving, Chris Bixler and wife Karla of Montgomery, Cade Jobe and wife Bana of Austin, and Kearci Smith and husband Lewis of Plano.
14 Great-grandsons and 6 great-granddaughters
Sister: Betty Joyce Pannell of Travelers Rest, SC
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. F.E. Healer in 1994; her father, Artist Ingram Cook in 1964; her mother, Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook in 1964; her sister, Mildred Jean Cook in 1936; her brother, J.W. Cook in 1990; her sister, Pauline (Cook) Herrington in 2000 and her granddaughter, Hillary Shae Davis in 1982.
Funeral services will be held at Lamar Street Baptist Church in Sweetwater at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017, with Rev. Keith Clifton officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Family visitation will be Saturday, December 31, 2016, at McCoy Funeral Home, Sweetwater, Texas, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Donations may be made to Hendrick Hospice, Abilene, Texas in memory of Mrs. Healer.
*******************************************************
Mary Louise (Cook) Healer
Mary Louise (Cook) Healer was born in Mulberry Canyon, South of Merkel, in Taylor County, Texas on Feb. 2, 1941, to Artist I. and Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook.
She graduated from Merkel High School in May of 1941 and married Francis Edward Healer on June 1 of the same year at New Live Oak Baptist Church in Mulberry Canyon. She and Mr. Healer made their home in Sweetwater following their marriage, where both were employed by Leland Glass at the Sunbeam Grocery Store on Oak Street. They were married for almost 53 years at the time of Mr. Healer's death May 18, 1994.
Mrs. Healer saw her husband off to World War II in 1944. During this period, she drove a jeep at the Tye Air Base (Civil Service). Colonel Wellington always requested that she drive him whenever it was possible. Mr. Healer was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army following critical injuries received in Huertgen Forest, Germany in November, 1945. Mrs. Healer took her wedding vows seriously as she nursed him back to health (as good as he would know it for the remainder of his life). She was a good caretaker and constant companion.
Mr. Healer surrendered to preach on a troop train, telling God that he would preach for Him if he would only be able to return home. He made good on his promise, making Mrs. Healer a "preacher's wife", a role that she was honored to fill. She was a dutiful servant to God alongside her husband. They attended associational church meetings, led youth groups, taught Sunday School and together shepherded the churches they served.
They raised five little "preacher's kids", always demonstrating their love, discipline and encouragement toward them as they all grew into adulthood. There was hardly ever a band trip made without Bro. and Mrs. Healer as chaperones (much to the dismay of their three daughters…but they outgrew it). She was a wonderful, Christian Mother.
Once the children were out of the nest, Mrs. Healer made the decision to attend the secretarial program at the local Texas State Technical Institute, graduating in the mid-70's. Afterward, she founded a program called "Sunshine Inn", a place for mentally challenged persons in the Sweetwater area. It was under the sponsorship of the Sweetwater Jaycees. She was known as "Mama Healer" to her clients. Smiles were always big on their faces, and especially on the face of Mrs. Healer, for she loved each student dearly.
Mrs. Healer retired from Sunshine Inn in the early 1980's, at the same time Bro. Healer retired from preaching. From that point forward, Bro. and Mrs. Healer served together in various capacities at Lamar Street Baptist Church.
Mrs. Healer was a resident of Sweetwater from 1941 until 2008 when she moved to University Place in Abilene. Here, she lived and enjoyed the friends she made until dementia forced her move to Nolan Nursing here in Sweetwater, where she had resided since 2013.
Mrs. Healer went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Nolan Nursing, Sweetwater, Texas.
Lots can be learned from the life of Mary Healer. She was a servant, a friend, a confidant, a Christian. "A smile costs nothing, but gives much." She gave away lots of smiles, even up until her recent illness.
Survivors include:
Children: 2 sons, Frank Healer and wife Janice of Potosi, James Healer and wife Judy of McKinney; 3 daughters, Janie Davis and husband Delbert of Sweetwater, Anita Jones and husband Dearl of Nolan, and Becky Healer of Pensacola, FL.
9 Grandchildren: Lori Wilson and husband Brent of McKinney, Larry Healer and Debra Loven of Snyder/Sweetwater, Jim Healer and wife Monica of McKinney, Jason Healer and wife Debbie of Fort Worth, Jared Healer and fiance' Dana Karels of McKinney/San Antonio, Scott Davis and fiance' Cindy Rodriquez of Irving, Chris Bixler and wife Karla of Montgomery, Cade Jobe and wife Bana of Austin, and Kearci Smith and husband Lewis of Plano.
14 Great-grandsons and 6 great-granddaughters
Sister: Betty Joyce Pannell of Travelers Rest, SC
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. F.E. Healer in 1994; her father, Artist Ingram Cook in 1964; her mother, Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook in 1964; her sister, Mildred Jean Cook in 1936; her brother, J.W. Cook in 1990; her sister, Pauline (Cook) Herrington in 2000 and her granddaughter, Hillary Shae Davis in 1982.
Funeral services will be held at Lamar Street Baptist Church in Sweetwater at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017, with Rev. Keith Clifton officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Family visitation will be Saturday, December 31, 2016, at McCoy Funeral Home, Sweetwater, Texas, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Donations may be made to Hendrick Hospice, Abilene, Texas in memory of Mrs. Healer.
*******************************************************
Mary Louise (Cook) Healer was born in Mulberry Canyon, South of Merkel, in Taylor County, Texas on Feb. 2, 1941, to Artist I. and Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook.
She graduated from Merkel High School in May of 1941 and married Francis Edward Healer on June 1 of the same year at New Live Oak Baptist Church in Mulberry Canyon. She and Mr. Healer made their home in Sweetwater following their marriage, where both were employed by Leland Glass at the Sunbeam Grocery Store on Oak Street. They were married for almost 53 years at the time of Mr. Healer's death May 18, 1994.
Mrs. Healer saw her husband off to World War II in 1944. During this period, she drove a jeep at the Tye Air Base (Civil Service). Colonel Wellington always requested that she drive him whenever it was possible. Mr. Healer was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army following critical injuries received in Huertgen Forest, Germany in November, 1945. Mrs. Healer took her wedding vows seriously as she nursed him back to health (as good as he would know it for the remainder of his life). She was a good caretaker and constant companion.
Mr. Healer surrendered to preach on a troop train, telling God that he would preach for Him if he would only be able to return home. He made good on his promise, making Mrs. Healer a "preacher's wife", a role that she was honored to fill. She was a dutiful servant to God alongside her husband. They attended associational church meetings, led youth groups, taught Sunday School and together shepherded the churches they served.
They raised five little "preacher's kids", always demonstrating their love, discipline and encouragement toward them as they all grew into adulthood. There was hardly ever a band trip made without Bro. and Mrs. Healer as chaperones (much to the dismay of their three daughters…but they outgrew it). She was a wonderful, Christian Mother.
Once the children were out of the nest, Mrs. Healer made the decision to attend the secretarial program at the local Texas State Technical Institute, graduating in the mid-70's. Afterward, she founded a program called "Sunshine Inn", a place for mentally challenged persons in the Sweetwater area. It was under the sponsorship of the Sweetwater Jaycees. She was known as "Mama Healer" to her clients. Smiles were always big on their faces, and especially on the face of Mrs. Healer, for she loved each student dearly.
Mrs. Healer retired from Sunshine Inn in the early 1980's, at the same time Bro. Healer retired from preaching. From that point forward, Bro. and Mrs. Healer served together in various capacities at Lamar Street Baptist Church.
Mrs. Healer was a resident of Sweetwater from 1941 until 2008 when she moved to University Place in Abilene. Here, she lived and enjoyed the friends she made until dementia forced her move to Nolan Nursing here in Sweetwater, where she had resided since 2013.
Mrs. Healer went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Nolan Nursing, Sweetwater, Texas.
Lots can be learned from the life of Mary Healer. She was a servant, a friend, a confidant, a Christian. "A smile costs nothing, but gives much." She gave away lots of smiles, even up until her recent illness.
Survivors include:
Children: 2 sons, Frank Healer and wife Janice of Potosi, James Healer and wife Judy of McKinney; 3 daughters, Janie Davis and husband Delbert of Sweetwater, Anita Jones and husband Dearl of Nolan, and Becky Healer of Pensacola, FL.
9 Grandchildren: Lori Wilson and husband Brent of McKinney, Larry Healer and Debra Loven of Snyder/Sweetwater, Jim Healer and wife Monica of McKinney, Jason Healer and wife Debbie of Fort Worth, Jared Healer and fiance' Dana Karels of McKinney/San Antonio, Scott Davis and fiance' Cindy Rodriquez of Irving, Chris Bixler and wife Karla of Montgomery, Cade Jobe and wife Bana of Austin, and Kearci Smith and husband Lewis of Plano.
14 Great-grandsons and 6 great-granddaughters
Sister: Betty Joyce Pannell of Travelers Rest, SC
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. F.E. Healer in 1994; her father, Artist Ingram Cook in 1964; her mother, Mattie Jane (Hughes) Cook in 1964; her sister, Mildred Jean Cook in 1936; her brother, J.W. Cook in 1990; her sister, Pauline (Cook) Herrington in 2000 and her granddaughter, Hillary Shae Davis in 1982.
Funeral services will be held at Lamar Street Baptist Church in Sweetwater at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017, with Rev. Keith Clifton officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery.
Family visitation will be Saturday, December 31, 2016, at McCoy Funeral Home, Sweetwater, Texas, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Donations may be made to Hendrick Hospice, Abilene, Texas in memory of Mrs. Healer.
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