Mary Alice Alberts

Mary Alice Alberts
When Mary Alice Alberts was born, they literally broke the mold. She was definitely one of a kind: lived life to the fullest, vibrant and vivacious, loved to laugh and make others laugh by telling countless stories and jokes. Never met a stranger and made a multitude of friends during her very long lifetime.
Mary was born on July 15, 1921 on her grandparents' ranch outside of Florence, TX. She grew up during a time when there was no indoor plumbing or electricity. She and her sister rode a horse to a one-room schoolhouse at Gravel Hill. She graduated from Florence High School. She attended one year of Jr. College at Santa Rosa, CA. Due to the start of WWII, she returned to Texas and worked as a Western Union Operator at Lampasas. This became a stepping stone for working at Camp Hood. She spent 25 years working there as a supervisor in Quartermaster Supply. She received numerous awards during her career there.
After retiring, she returned to Florence and became active in local politics: the first woman elected to the city council; became mayor pro tem; was involved with the Chamber of Commerce; and served as a judge for two years. She was a volunteer at the VA Hospital in Temple, playing the piano for the resident Veterans.
For 13 years, she and her husband traveled across North America during the summers. This, in conjunction with living in the Rio Grande Valley during the winters.
Mary's greatest gift to us all was playing the piano. Self-taught at five, she had her own unique style (a mix of gospel, country and a bit of honkytonk. She played for USO activities for the soldiers at Fort Hood, dances, weddings, funerals church services, etc.
One of her proudest achievements was when she was Grand Organist for the Easter Star Grand Chapter of Texas, 1978-1979. She was a member of that organization for 80 years, and served as organist for Killeen and Georgetown Eastern Star Chapters, and played for countless functions in the central Texas area.
Mary's hobbies included playing dominoes, and various card games (especially Bridge, as she played that most of her life in many different groups). She loved to dance the Jitterbug (back in the day), square dancing, waltz. You name it – she did it.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Algia Wilson; a sister and brother-in-law, Jo Ann and Melvin Sawyer; a sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Moon Mullen; husband, Al Alberts; and stepson, Larry Alberts.
She is survived by a daughter, Cathy Rosell; stepson, Grady Alberts (Debbie); step grandson, Greg Alberts; niece, Paula O'Connell; nephews Gary Mullen (Jane) and Mark Sawyer (Nancy); and a first cousin, Dorothy Merle Belding. Also, four great nieces, five great-great nieces, two great nephews, one great-great nephew, and numerous second to fifth-generation cousins.
A very special tribute to Mary and several members of her family was being honored at halftime at an A&M game at Kyle Field in November 2018. The tribute was the 100th Anniversary of the Aggie War Hymn, written by Pinky Wilson, Mary's uncle. She loved playing this fight song.
Many thanks to the staff of the Riva Ridge Memory Care Facility for their care and support of Mary.
The family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 4:00-6:00 P.M. on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in the chapel of Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home with reception to follow in the Red Poppy Room. Interment will follow the reception at Florence City Cemetery.