Mary Newberry

KATY, Texas -- Mary Suzanne Bray Newberry on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to her eternal rest following a brief hospitalization for cancer. The memory of her sweet spirit and sweet smile remains in the grateful hearts and minds of family, friends and former students whose lives she touched with her joy and kindness.

A resident of Katy the past 45 years, Mary was born Feb. 23, 1948, in Cape Girardeau to her parents, Alton and Martha Lou Dorris Bray, who preceded her in death.

Surviving are her husband, John Newberry, whom she met in college and married June 6, 1970, in Cape Girardeau. Also surviving are son, Brian Newberry; daughter, Barbara Newberry (Jeremy) Smith of Katy; and grandson, Ryland Rivas of New Waverly, Texas.

In addition, she is survived by her sister, Ellen Bray Busch and brother Dr. Jeffrey Bray both of St. Louis and their families, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in law.

Mary attended the Campus Elementary School and Cape Girardeau Central High School in Cape Girardeau. She attended and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau with a bachelor of music education degree and a certificate to teach elementary education.

Having inherited her mother's beautiful singing voice, Mary, while a college student, had a principal role in the Mozart opera "Cosi fan Tutte" performed in the university's Rose Theater. She was also a member of the Trebleaires.

Mary's 43 years as an educator included teaching elementary education in Charleston, Missouri, from 1970 to 1976; teaching in the Houston, Texas, area for Alief Independent School District at Alief Elementary School from 1976 to 1977, and teaching in the Katy area for Katy Independent School District from 1978 to 2004 at the following schools: Cimarron Elementary, Nottingham Elementary and Memorial Parkway Junior High School. After retiring from the Katy School District in 2004, she taught 10 more years at Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, Texas, and also served as a substitute teacher. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year for Katy Independent School District while at Nottingham Elementary.

Devoted to church work her entire life, Mary was an active member of Tallowood Baptist Church, where she assisted with the kindergarten children's choir. Prior to her current church affiliation, Mary was a member of the Joint Heirs at First Baptist Church in Houston and performed in the choir and small ensembles for their renowned Christmas pageant. Mary also served as a leader for the Bible Study Fellowship Organization.

Mary's special interests besides Bible studies included activities with the Magnolias (a close group of friends), doting on her kids and grandson, gardening, cheering for the Houston Astros and taking family trips to see the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders football games.

Long a highlight of Mary's life and a special memory of her 40th birthday was the surprise hot air balloon ride her husband arranged for Mary to take. The balloon picked her up in a field next to the school where she was teaching much to the delight of Mary and her students.

That adventure was topped by her recent Heaven-bound journey with Mary smiling more radiantly than ever before! Thanks be to God for her time with us.

Donations in Mary's memory may be made to the Alton Bray Scholarship at Southeast Missouri State University Foundation, 1 University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or to the charity of your choice. Floral remembrances may be sent to Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Ave., Katy, TX 77493.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Schmidt Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Road in Houston. Interment will follow at noon Saturday at Katy Magnolia Cemetery, 6801 Franz Road in Katy.

The service will be streamed live at www.tallowood.org/watch. Condolences may be expressed at www.SchmidtFuneralHome.net.