Mary E. Biddy
November 10, 1931 ~ March 17, 2024
Resided in: Avinger, Texas
On the tenth of November 1931, in Hughes Springs, Texas, Albert and Mallie Stewart welcomed a baby girl into the world that they named Mary Era. From an early age, she cultivated an ethic of hard work from manual labor in the cotton fields and working in the garden, along with helping her parents can countless jars of a variety of vegetables.
Mary was raised in Avinger, Texas and attended school there. Because of her enjoyment of school, Mary participated in all the activities it had to offer. While attending high school, she was a member of the yearbook staff, on the basketball team and especially enjoyed being a majorette, strutting down the football field while twirling her baton.
It was during high school, that Mary met the love of her life, Bennie Earl Biddy, and they were married by Reverend Johnny Campbell in his home on December 17, 1949. Mary loved being a stay-at-home mom and kept busy raising their three children, preparing home cooked meals, sewing, and making sure their family was in church every time the door was open. Mary’s love of the Bible was evident as she would often be found reading God’s Word. For many years she was a loyal member of the church choir, loved teaching the young married couples’ Sunday School Class, worked in Vacation Bible School and was committed to promoting missions’ awareness at home and around the world.
After Bennie Earl retired, Mary’s life-long dream became a reality as they traveled the United States, Canada, and even to Japan to build churches, education buildings and housing. Although Bennie preceded her in death, Mary continued with her love for missions as a summer staff cook at the Wheatland Conference Center in Flagler, Colorado.
Special memories of Mary abound. Her French Toast for breakfast and chicken fried steak for dinner, Popcorn Cake and the best Trash ever still leaves mouths watering. Family and friends can testify to her fiercely competitive nature when it came to playing a game of Forty-two or Skip Bo. That same ambitious spirit was seen when she learned to slalom over the waters of Lake O’ the Pines in her forties and continued to do so even into her seventies. She amassed a collection of snowmen that could rival the North Pole, and she was unmatched in her love for all things Christmas.
In the last few months of Mary’s life, she shared with some that she was ready to go see Jesus, and she did just that on March 17, 2024, in Longview, Texas. Although we grieve her passing, a greater promise abounds: “To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord,” and we rejoice in that promise as we give thanks and celebrate the life of Mary Biddy, our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Left to cherish her precious memory are her children, Danny and wife, Dana, Rebecca Russell, and Alan and wife Susan along with 7 grandsons, 17 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Throughout Mary’s life and even to her last days, she would conclude visits with family and friends, saying, “Give everyone my love!” No doubt, these would be her parting words to us today. Thanks be to God for the life and witness of Mary Biddy.
Mary believed in wearing happy colors for a celebration of life, so feel free to honor her in that way if you would like.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored for contributions to be made in Mary’s memory to the First Baptist Church of Avinger, P.O. BX 246, Avinger, TX 75630.
Private family interment will be 12:00 noon Saturday, march 23, 2024 at Avinger Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Avinger. There will be a time of visitation immediately following the service. Mrs. Biddy will lie in state from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Services
In State: March 22, 2024 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home - Hughes Springs
1213 Hanes Blvd
Hughes springs, Texas 75656
Funeral Ceremony: March 23, 2024 1:00 pm
First Baptist Church Avinger
300 W. Depot
Avinger, Texas 75630
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Rebecca,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brothers.
Gloria
She was such a wonderful lady. She loved her Jesus and family so very much. Taught a wonderful Sunday School class at First Baptist, Jefferson, for many years. She will be missed. Prayers for Danny, Rebecca, Alan and their families!
Mary and Benny lived for many years in Avenger, Texas. I met them first in Idalia, CO. as Benny led a team of volunteer builders from East Texas and Mississippi to remodel a church building and parsonage. We enticed them to bring a crew of “old” volunteers to Flagler in October/November 1994. Four couples lived in the Lodge and worked with local volunteers to do serious remodeling of the interior of the Lodge. Benny was a phenomenal leader, motivator, and skilled artisan. He and Mary inspired the actual beginnings of the Wheatland ministry as they help draft vision for a camp and retreat program.
Just a few months later, Benny went to heaven. His faithful companion, Mary, then was willing as a widow to return and serve for an entire summer as chief cook.