Mary Lou Throneberry

Mary Lou McClintock Throneberry died peacefully on August 6, 2024, in her home at Mayberry Gardens in Garland, TX, where she resided for three years. Mary Lou had a wonderful life and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mary Lou was born in Chillicothe, TX. on February 3, 1939, to Ray and Zelma Wolf McClintock. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and best friend, Mattie Ivy, the love of her life, J.J. (Jack) Throneberry, and numerous close first cousins.
Mary Lou was the salutatorian of the 1957 graduating class of Vernon High School in Vernon, TX. Upon graduation, Mary Lou attended the University of North Texas in Denton. While at North Texas, she became an Alpha Phi and served for a year as chapter president. She was also a member of the prestigious "Green Jackets" campus service organization. After earning her bachelor's degree in education, Mary Lou moved to Denver, CO. with her best friend Linda Truelove Stanford to teach school. She spent two years teaching in Denver, then moved to Dallas, TX. in September of 1963 to complete flight attendant training with Braniff International Airways. Mary Lou worked for Braniff for 19 years until the company ceased operations in May 1982. She made numerous lifelong close friends and enjoyed traveling the world with them as they worked in a glamorous profession. And Mary Lou was indeed glamorous. At the time of her death, Mary Lou was an active member of the "Clipped B's" organization of former Braniff International pilots, flight attendants, and other roles. She valued those friends and memories tremendously.
In 1982, Mary Lou began working as an office manager for a durable medical equipment store, AABCO Physical Health Equipment. On May 19, 1984, she married the founder and owner, J.J. Throneberry. Mary Lou helped Jack grow and expand the business, and they loved getting to travel together while doing so. They also both loved to snow ski. As avid skiers, they used their passion for others and chaperoned a church youth group ski trip annually while active members of the Second Baptist Church in Dallas. Tragically, Jack suffered a heart attack and passed away in 1998 while chaperoning one of those ski trips. At AABCO, Mary Lou enjoyed working with her close friends, Rose Smith and Robbie Eakin. Eventually, Mary Lou went to work for Aids for Recovery, a different medical equipment company that she and Jack had provided business coaching to. The founders of that company also happened to be former Braniff flight attendants.
Mary Lou and her sister Mattie enjoyed living together during their retirement years in Richardson, TX. They first owned a home with a pool on Bunker Hill and later bought a house on Acacia St. on the northeast side of Richardson. The pair enjoyed hosting family birthday parties and holidays at their home for the extended family. They became close friends with their neighbors and loved their time together on Acacia. Their favorite pastime was shopping, and they especially enjoyed "sample sales" together. Mary Lou was a member of the choir at the First United Methodist Church in Richardson. She sang with the choir every Sunday morning, took trips abroad with them, and cherished time spent with these friends. Mattie was always her plus one. Mary Lou was also active in the lives of her three grandchildren, Avery, Kali, and Craig, attending their various sporting and marching band events, picking them up after school, taking them to haircuts and ice cream shops, and taking them shopping.
Mary Lou is survived by her only child, Alan Ray Staples, his wife Alison, their three children, and their sons in law, Avery & Michael Bonahoom, Kali & Jacoby Prestwood, Craig Staples, and his girlfriend, Jenna Draude. Mary Lou is also survived by her nieces and their husbands, Lu Ann & Evan Roberts, Kerrie & Marc Fielden, and Christie & David Ivy. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Pollye Throneberry Hunter, her husband Mike, and their daughters Landry and Morgan. She is survived by numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and her dog, Charlie.
A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held on Sept. 3, 2024, at 4:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Richardson, TX. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Scottish Rite for Children hospital in Dallas, TX., in Mary Lou's memory.
The family would like to thank the staff of Mayberry Gardens for loving her and caring for her so well, as her health slowly declined due to dementia. A thank you also goes to Darian Bradford and the Physician Senior Services for looking after Mary Lou's medical care once she could not travel for treatment. Mary Lou's family is very grateful for the many years of excellent medical care she received from Dr. Gabrielle Patterson and her nurse, Kim. They went above and beyond to care for Mary Lou for over 20 years, through good and challenging times.