Mary L. Bartee

Mary La Wanda (Russell) Bartee was born January 13,1932 to Ridge and Bessie Jo Russell of Pampa, Texas.  Born at home during a howling blizzard, Mary joined her older brother Billy to live in the country between Pampa and Miami, Texas.  Subsequently, three younger siblings joined the family, Carolyn, Mark, and Linda.  Mary grew up in the house she was born in, attending a one room country schoolhouse, with all eight grades sitting together.  Her ninth grade year took her from the wheat field to town, where she graduated Pampa High School, class of 1950.

Mary met Jim Bartee at church in the summer of 1947.  Jim, a native of Hollis, Oklahoma was visiting his family while on summer break.  Little did they know that this would launch a relationship spanning 75 years, with countless adventures across the world.  Jim and Mary married on Easter Sunday March 25, 1951 and set up their household in Abilene. Texas.  Mary worked for Western Union and Western Cotton Oil before following Jim to Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, MS. spring of 1953.  Mary began work for the maintenance officer at Keesler Air Force Base, which set her up to become the 2nd woman ever hired at Dyess Air Force Base (Abilene, Texas) in 1955.  Later in life, while living in Seoul, Korea, Mary served in the 8th Army MASH unit, made famous through a popular TV show.

After serving in the Korean War, Jim returned to finish his education in electrical engineering and Mary later gave birth to a son on May 27, 1959; they named him Klay.  This would be their only child.  Jim's career provided opportunities for employment overseas, both in Korea and Italy.  While traveling, Mary began to develop her love of painting, an art form she continued until her health began to fail.  While back in Abilene Mary painted what she loved; flowers, landscapes, family and friends.

Mary is survived by her husband of 71 years, Jim Bartee, 93 of Abilene, Texas. Her youngest sister Linda (Russell) Smith, her son Klay Bartee (Lisa), niece Leslie (Allison) Smith, niece Angie (Allison) Moad, and other nephews and nieces too numerous to mention here.

In addition, she is survived by 3 grandchildren, Kris Bartee (Brooke), Kasey Bartee Owens (Matt), and Kallie Bartee (Lyndsey).  Also, 5 great grandchildren, Keaghlan Bartee, Konner Bartee, Kori Bartee, Jack Owens, and Eleanor Owens as well as her younger sister Linda (Russell) Smith, niece Leslie Allison Smith and niece Angie Allison Moad and several other nephews and nieces

Mary was fortunate to live a long full life, which included traveling to some of the most beautiful places in the world, enjoying friends and family, and spending time with her art. Jim reflects about Mary through scriptures found in Proverbs 31 "A wife of noble character, who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  She brings her husband good, not harm, all the days of her life.  Her husband praises her, charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring praise at Heavens gate."

Mary, may you rest in peace.