Obituary of Mary Mathison

Graveside services for Mary Louise Mathison, 71, of Bangs, formerly of East Texas, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Thursday, May 27, at the Duncan Cemetery, Rusk County with Tony Mathison officiating, under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup. She went to be with Jesus on May 21, 2010. Mary was born November 19, 1938, in Wood County, Texas to the late Lewis Monroe Smith and Ruthie Jane Smith. She had several jobs as bookkeeper and secretary working in both Tyler and Longview. Ms. Mathison contributed to the Chapel Hill community by volunteering her services at Chapel Hill High School in the front office from 1992 to 1994. Mary was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.  Mary was the founder and over 20 year president of a support group called the East Texas Depression and Bipolar Group.  Mary helped many members of this group over the 25 years of her leadership by taking time to listen to people's concerns and by providing current information about effectively coping with depression. The support group still exists in East Texas and meets monthly under new leadership and proudly displays Mary's favorite quote on their monthly newsletters:  "Never give up, there's rainbows." In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis Smith and Don Smith.  She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Marc and Deanna Mathison, Ohio and Tony and Carolyn Mathison, Mullin; granddaughter, Cayla Mathison, Mullin; grandson, Justin Carter, Gilmer; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Linda Jo Smith, Henderson; sister, Dorthie Pangle; Henderson; good friends such as Eunice and Richard Ellis, Chapel Hill; and many other friends connected with her church and the support group mentioned above.   Memorials, if desired, may be made to The Bangs Nursing Home Activity Fund, 1105 Fitzgerald Street, Bangs, Texas, 76823 (325-752-6321) or the East Texas Depression and Bipolar Group General Fund, c/o East Texas Center for Independent  Living, 4713 Troup Highway, Tyler, TX 75701,  (903) 581-7541. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday, May 26.