Mary Southall LeBus

Mary Southall LeBus, 79, of Ore City, Texas passed away on June 5, 2011, after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. Mrs. LeBus was born on December 7, 1931 to Leon and Jessie Southall, of Longview. Mrs LeBus grew up in Longview with a lifelong friend, Betty Williams Sullivan, along with Patsy Schindler Sanders, Caroline Broussard Cox, and Frances Hudson Sample, as well as many additional, close friends. A 1948 graduate of Longview High School, Mary attended Kilgore College, where she was a member of the world famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. Following her marriage, Mary was a homemaker and mother of four children in Odessa, Texas. While in Odessa, she belonged to the Odessa Jr. Service League and was an active member of the Odessa/Midland Country Club as well as the Redeemer Lutheran Church. Some years later, Mrs. LeBus moved to Ore City, Texas and cared for her mother until her death. She also assisted in the care of her mother-in-law, Genie LeBus of Longview. She frequently visited her sister-in-law, Rhea Stammer of Longview. She loved both of them dearly. Mrs. LeBus was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ore City and leaves behind an abundance of friends in Ore City. Mary was an avid duplicate bridge player, and a member of the Longview Duplicate Bridge Club, hosted by her friend Mike Graham of Ore City, and had a regular partnership with the late Willie Belle Porter of Longview. She also enjoyed playing bridge on Wednesdays with her good friends at the Jalapeno Tree in Longview. Mary LeBus never met a stranger and her joy for living and positive outlook sustained her to her final days. She was a faithful Christian woman who lived life through the laughter, tears, and dreams. She loved her family, especially her grandchildren. Mrs. Lebus is survived by a large and loving family; a daughter, Janie LeBus Wolaver and her husband, Jerrell of Jefferson, Texas; son Jack Glen LeBus, Jr. and his wife Suzie of White Oak, Texas; grandchildren Brian David Hiett and wife Blair of Porter, Texas; Erin Renee Hiett Greenlee and her husband Matt of Round Rock, Texas; Angela Ann Lebus Clinkscales and her husband Trey of White Oak, Texas; John Lawence LeBus and Megan Richardson of Midland, Texas; Randall William LeBus and his wife Stormie of White Oak, Texas; and Sarah Jane LeBus of Lubbock, Texas. Mrs. LeBus adored her great grandchildren Addison Faith Clinkscales, Abigail Ann Clinkscales, Ellie Elizabeth Greenlee, Morgan Madison Greenlee, Nancy Jean Hiett, Jack Henry Hiett and another new baby is expected in December. Mrs. LeBus is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Jessie Southall; her twin sister Martha Jane Southall; her brother, Bobby Leon Southall; her daughter, Nancy Ann LeBus Hiett; and her son, John Richard LeBus. Memorials may be made to Texas Oncology, 1300 North 4th Street, Longview, Texas 75601 or Beacon Hospice at Margaret's House, P.O. Box 5908, Longview, Texas 75605. A private family burial will be held on Friday, June 10, followed by a short visitation with the family at 10:45 a.m. and a memorial service celebrating Mrs. LeBus's life at Rader Funeral Home Chapel in Longview at 11:30 a.m. with reverend Doug Smith of Ore City officiating.