Convictions mold the destiny of lives, and so it was with the life of Mary Galbraith Williams, 82, of Tyler, Texas. Mary departed on Thursday, July 26, 2012, but she left an impact on those whose lives she touched in many different ways.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tim Roberts officiating. Entombment followed at Rose Hill Mausoleum in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Jimmy Echols, Seth Williams, Aaron Graft and Russ Echols. Visitation was held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 27, at the funeral home.
Born Aug. 23, 1929, in Wayne, Pa., in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Mary’s life moved from being a schoolgirl at Friends Central School to the halls of Endicott Junior College, where she graduated in 1950. She met her beloved husband of 58 years, Irvin, during college and spent the next 25 as the wife of an Air Force officer. During these years, she devoted herself to being a wife and a mother to their two children while living in locations in England and across the United States.
During the next segment of her life, while living in Frederick, Md., Mary’s focus took another direction. Her community concern and Christian convictions took her “out of the kitchen” and into the public arena in new ways. She became active in the Frederick County Civic Association, organized to promote planned growth in the rural area close to Washington, D.C.
One level of involvement led to another. She served on the Coalition for Land Use Education, the Middle Potomac River Basin Council, and the Frederick County Planning Commission.
Next, Mary became the first woman to run for election on the Frederick County Board of Commissioners. In her first election, she campaigned door to door and became the president of the board from 1978-82. Though it was a demanding job, she enjoyed the opportunity to serve her community while fostering planned growth in Frederick County.
From 1982 until 1995, Mary combined her love for the Lord and family with her political interest through volunteer service. She volunteered with the Concerned Women for America, an organization promoting family legislation. Mary lobbied for family issues on Capitol Hill and was the state coordinator for CWA of Maryland from 1987-1990. In addition, she was active in the Republican Party, serving through organizing, writing, speaking and coordinating election campaigns efforts.
Mary was recognized as the 1986 Outstanding Maryland Republican Woman of the Year for her tireless volunteer hours and service. Furthermore, she was active in the Frederick County Farm Bureau and contributed many newsletter articles.
In 1995, Mary and Irvin moved to Pinehurst to enjoy the beautiful golfing community. She continued her volunteer service through the Moore County Republican Women. Family brought them to Tyler, Texas, in 2007.
Mary is survived by her two children, Sherrill Echols and her husband, Jim, of Tyler, and Kirkpatrick Williams and his wife, Miriam, of Bowling Green, Ky. In addition, she is survived by five grandchildren, Kimberly Graft and her husband, Aaron, of Dallas, Jimmy Echols and his wife, Lindsay, of Richmond, Texas, Seth Williams, Sarah McArthur and husband, Greg, and Teddy Williams of Bowling Green. She has two surviving sisters, Betsy Mosteller, of West Chester, Pa., and Pat Dunlap, of Hershey, Pa.. Mary is also survived by five great-grandchildren, four nieces and five nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Alliance of NE Texas, 211 Winchester, Tyler, TX 75701; Family Research Council, 11311 James St., Holland, MI 49424; or Concerned Women for America, 801 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.
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