MARY PEARSON TANKURSLEY (with photo)

Mary Pearson Tankursley, 110, of Denton, Texas and formerly of Paris, Texas, died peacefully at home on December 28, 2011. She was born to Edmund Harrison Pearson and Laura Ellen Caviness Pearson on February 21, 1901, in Caviness, Lamar County, Texas.

Mrs. Tankursley graduated from Paris High School in 1918. Upon completion of the course of studies at Paris Commercial College, she moved to Dallas, Texas where she was employed as a secretary. While attending Ervay Street Methodist Church, she met Onnie C. Tankursley. They married on July 14, 1923. In 1934 they moved to Paris where Mrs. Tankursley continued employment as the Executive Secretary at National Farm Loan Association which later became Federal Land Bank of Paris. She later worked for David E. Rainey Insurance Company and as a proofreader for the Lamar County Echo. At the age of 105, she moved to Denton, Texas, to live with her daughter Maxine Shadle.

Mrs. Tankursley especially treasured her lifetime membership in the Methodist church as a fifth-generation Methodist. She began active involvement in United Methodist Women with the Sarah Anna Guild. Later several Circles merged and were named the Mary Circle in her honor. In 2006 she was awarded the certificate of Special Mission Recognition by United Methodist Women. In 2001, the Paris Education Foundation established the Mary Tankursley Scholarship which is awarded annually to a Paris High School graduate who chooses to attend Paris Junior College. Twice she has been featured in the Denton Record-Chronicle, in 2008 as the oldest voter in Denton County and in 2010 as the oldest Texas Ranger fan.

She was greatly loved by her descendants: two daughters, Maxine Shadle and Carolyn Allen; eight grandchildren and their spouses: Stan Shadle of Argyle, Texas, Carol Beth and Steve Meyerdirk of Denton. Joanna and Martin Toombs of Ada, Oklahoma, Debbie and Rick Wisdom of Atlanta, Texas, Laura and Tim Lumpkin of Baytown, Karin and David Terrell of Daingerfield, Lu and Danny Presley of Frisco, and Randy and Tonya Allen of Waller, Texas; thirty-two great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, eight siblings, two sons-in-law Bill Shadle and Jack Allen, and one granddaughter-in-law, Kathy Shadle.

The memorial service will be held on Dec. 30, 2011 at 2:30 pm in Paris at First United Methodist Church with visitation at 1:00 pm prior to the service. Pastor Van Lazaroff will officiate. Pallbearers will be Stan Shadle, Randy Allen, Steve Meyerdirk, Martin Toombs, Rick Wisdom, Tim Lumpkin, David Terrell and Danny Presley. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Paris, Texas.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to the kind, efficient friends at Ann's Haven Hospice who have cared so lovingly for her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Ann's Haven VNA, 325 W. McKinney, Denton, Texas 75201, Paris Education Foundation, P.O. Box 356, Paris Texas 75461, or First United Methodist Church, 322 Lamar Ave., Paris, TX 75460.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz & Son Funeral Home of Denton and Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home of Paris.

On-line condolences may be left at www.mulkeymasondenton.com