Mary Marshall Killen Holley, 88, passed away at her home on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. today at Davis-Morris Funeral Home. Her memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, Union Presbyterian Church in Brownwood, Texas, with the Rev. Mary D. D’Alessio officiating. Mary Marshall always wore purple. If so inclined, please wear purple in honor of her memory.
She was born in Longview, Texas, to Marshall Monroe Killen and Mary Emma McNeill Killen on June 26, 1924. Her father transferred to Brownwood as Station Master for Santa Fe Railroad in 1939 when Mrs. Holley was 15 years old. She has made Brownwood her home ever since.
She attended Brownwood High School where she met Robert Wilton Holley. Upon graduation in 1941 she enrolled in Tarleton State College in Stephenville. After graduation she continued her studies at Texas State College for Women, known today as Texas Woman’s College, in Denton, Texas. In 1945, Mrs. Holley graduated with a double major in Chemistry and Home Economics.
On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 1945, she and her high school sweetheart, Wilton Holley were married. They were happily married for 53 years until his death in 1998. They had three children, Pamela Killen Holley, Melinda Holley McDaniel and John Robert Holley II.
Mrs. Holley gave her life to living her Christian faith. She was one of the first women elected as Presbyterian elder. She was active in work with the regional Presbytery and was one of the first two women elected to the national General Assembly. For many years she taught first and second grade Sunday school. She chose that age group because she wanted to teach children who could already read how to study God’s word.
Mrs. Holley was a trainer for teachers of primary Sunday school teachers. Many summers she went to Mo Ranch near Kerrville to train teachers from all over Texas.
Making the world a better place for all through serving her community and state was a priority. She was strong advocate for Brownwood and for Texas. She was one of the founders of Brownwood Beautification Committee the forerunner of Keep Brownwood Beautiful. She served on the state board of Keep Texas Beautiful, was active in the restoration of the Santa Fe Depot, was instrumental in creating the Martin and Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum. In tribute to her lifetime of devoted work for church, community, and state, Mary Marshall received many honors and awards from the organizations she so faithfully served.
The last 28 years of their marriage Marry Marshall and Wilton traveled to 49 countries visiting many twice. They also loved to travel the U. S. especially in caravans with friends.
Mary Marshall loved homemaking and entertaining. She provided a wonderful Christian home for her family. She dearly loved her family and many friends and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Wilton Holley; sister, Norma Jean Killen Roberts; and grandson, Robert Francisco Mororó Holley.
Mary Marshall is survived by her children, Pamela Killen Holley of Brownwood, Melinda Holley McDaniel and husband Reverend Bill T. McDaniel of Woodbridge, Va., and John Robert Holley II and wife Maria Ailza Mororó Holley of Brazil. She is also survived by grandchildren, Holleyanne McDaniel of Falls Church, Va., and John Marcus Mororó Holley and Leanne Busby, and two great-grandchildren, Lily and King all of San Saba.
Memorials can be sent to Union Presbyterian Church, Keep Brownwood Beautiful, The Lehnis Railroad Museum or the charity of your choice.
