Mary Lewis Scott Kleberg

Mary Lewis Scott Kleberg Mary Lewis Scott Kleberg, of Kingsville and San Antonio, Texas passed away peacefully February 24, 2009 at home surrounded by her close knit family and loving caregivers. Born on December 21, 1920 in Austin, TX, she was the youngest child and daughter of Dr. Zachary Thomson Scott and Sallie Lee Masterson Scott. She grew up in her family's historic home, "Sweetbrush" in Austin. She also frequented her family's Scott Ranch, near Amarillo, her mother's hometown. She is a graduate of Austin High School and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she was elected a Blue Bonnet Belle. While there, she pledged Pi Beta Phi sorority and met and married her husband of 38 years, Richard M. "Dick" Kleberg, Jr (dec.). After their marriage, the couple moved to Kingsville, Texas where Dick was employed by King Ranch. She became equally immersed in the life of the Kingsville community and the surrounding ranching area, raising four children. She loved the Lord and had a deeply abiding faith that lifted a cheerful countenance already naturally in place. She loved people and loved having her friends around her at all times. Whether it was a group at the beach house in Port Aransas or a dinner party orchestrated by her; any chance to gather friends was a gift to her. She brought light and life to the world around her. She was an education and arts advocate both in South Texas, San Antonio and in Austin throughout her life first having been appointed to the Board of Directors of the University System of South Texas (USST) in 1964 by Governor John Connally. She served in that capacity for 24 years, appointed by three subsequent Texas Governors and at intervals serving as Vice President and Secretary of that board. She "quietly" helped on the negotiations that would make Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the rest of the University System of South Texas part of The Texas A&M University System. In addition, she served as secretary of the University System of South Texas Foundation, Inc. She also served as a member of the board of trustees of St Mary's Hall in San Antonio, Santa Gertrudis ISD, and Epiphany Episcopal Day School both in Kingsville. In July 2008, she and her late husband were honored at Texas A & M University- Kingsville when the Agricultural College was renamed The Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences. Some of the many organizations to which she gave her time and support include in San Antonio, the Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health, Trinity University, San Antonio Botanical Center, and San Antonio Museum of Art. In Corpus Christi she was founding director of KEDT, the public television and radio stations, served on the board of The Art Museum of South Texas and was active with The Texas State Aquarium and Spohn Hospice Program. In Kingsville her activities and support accrued to The Community Concert Association, the Robert J. Kleberg Library, The John E. Conner Museum, the Kingsville Downtown Business Association, The Kingsville Garden Club and she remained a lifetime member of the Kingsville Women's Club at the time of her death. In 1995 she was honored by the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce with the Otis West Lifetime Service Award. Mary Lewis is preceded in death by her husband, her father and mother, her older sister, Ann Scott Hearon; and her brother, Zachary Thomson Scott, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her dear friend and companion, William K. Clark. She is survived by her large and beloved family including her children: Richard M. Kleberg III and his wife, Olive Anne (San Antonio, TX), Sally S. Kleberg (New York City, NY), Stephen J. Kleberg and his wife Janell (Kingsville, TX), and Scott M. Kleberg and his wife Julie (Ft. Worth, TX). Also surviving are grandchildren Anne Marie Kleberg Bailey and husband Jeff; Christina Kleberg Jonker and husband Attie; Benjamin M.K. Espy, DVM and wife Shannon, DVM; Christopher C. Kleberg and wife Kim; Thomas K. Espy, Esq and wife Holly; Richard M. Kleberg, IV and wife Britt; Adrian Kleberg Sabom and husband Rob; Robert J. Kleberg and wife Christina; and Scott M. Kleberg, Jr., Sarah M.Kleberg, Elkin M. Kleberg, and Julie C. Kleberg. And by her great-grandchildren Jeffrey C. Bailey, Jr. and Olivia C. Bailey; Madeleine T. Espy, Claudia G. Espy, and Benjamin Z. Espy; Mia C. Sabom, and Teel K. Sabom; Richard M. Kleberg, V, Beau C. Kleberg, Cebern S. Kleberg; King T. Kleberg, and Stephen J. Kleberg, II; and, and Sophia L. Kleberg. Assisting the family in caring for Mrs. Kleberg have been long time caregivers and special assistants: Nicolasa Garcia, her friend and trusted companion of over 50 years, Veronica Ríos, Celia Peña, Nix Private Care, Dr. Tony Tolcher, START, Dr. Mark Thornton, CHRISTUS VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, Leslie Johnson, Eva Gerragauch, and the SFD family office. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009, Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Pl., San Antonio, TX, the Rev. Chuck Collins officiating. A private family interment will follow in Austin, Texas at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery where she will be at rest beside her parents and siblings. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Cardo, Chris, Jay, Matt and Elkin Kleberg, Ben and Thomas Espy. Honorary Pall bearers will be Clyde Allen, Gene Ames, Keith Brown, Martin Clement, Leroy Denman, Bill English, Jim Hayne, B.D. "Peter" Holt, Will Houston, Elkin McGaughy, Dr. Ben Martin, Bill Masterson, Jack Miller, Frank Nelms, Joe Payne, Dick Reynolds, Mike Reynolds, J. Burleson "Burley" Smith, Dr. Richard Sugden, Ben Vaughn III, J. Carrol "Toosy" Wakefield, Stewart "Snake" Wallace and Mitchell Womack. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Kleberg's name be made to: Epiphany Episcopal School, 206 N. Third Street, Kingsville, TX 78363; Friends of Hospice San Antonio, P.O. Box 40487, San Antonio, TX 78229; or Thrive Well Cancer Foundation, START Research, P.O. Box 29331, San Antonio, TX 78229 (please note on check for START Research). You may sign the on-line guest book at www.missionparls.com under the obituary section.