ODESSA "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:1-2
Mary Nell Johnson, a lifetime educator whose influence spanned three generations of students, passed from this earthly life on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the age of 91. She left a legacy perhaps best described in her own words: "Teaching is a way to change life for the better. It delights me to see the light of understanding come on in a child's eyes. I want to make a difference, and I do this through teaching."
Mary Nell was born August 11, 1918, in Blossom, TX, to Eva Ellen Gentry Biggerstaff and Bruce Evans Biggerstaff. She grew up in the town of Farmersville.
Mary Nell received a bachelor of science degree from North Texas State University in Denton, and a master of arts from Sul Ross State University in Alpine. She pursued advanced studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder and at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa.
Mary Nell married Julius "Jeep" Johnson on July 25, 1942, in Denton. The couple and their daughter, Karen, moved to Odessa in August 1946, where Mary Nell began work as a secretary to ECISD Superintendent W.A. Miller. She transitioned into teaching the following year at Crockett Junior High. In 1949, Mary Nell joined the Odessa High School faculty, where she remained in the classroom for 36 years. While at OHS, she served as sponsor of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. Mary Nell typed and produced the first OHS telephone directory in 1949, which sold for 10 cents a copy. She also launched a variety of special events and organizations including Career Day, Western Week, and Future Business Leaders of America. Upon her retirement, the following was penned in her honor:
"She influenced lives through living her own and by fulfilling her responsibility as a teacher. She taught two, and in some cases, three, generations of many Odessa families basic business courses. Today businesses throughout Odessa count her students among their employees. When we consider the expected working life of today's employees, this will be true well into the 21st century. By the time her influence has run its course, she will have made a difference in Odessa for nearly a century. This can be said of few others."
Mary Nell's influence upon her students and her community at-large is evidenced by a myriad of special awards and recognitions including the following: Outstanding Business Teacher of Texas 1972-73, ECISD Teacher of the Year 1981, and ECISD Business Teacher of the Year 1982. The 1993-94 OHS Booster Club Yearbook was dedicated to Mary Nell, and in 1995, she received the Community Statesman Award for Excellence in Community Service in Education. She also received special recognition from the Odessa Jaycees. In 1997, Mary Nell was honored as Beta Sigma Phi's 51st Lady of Odessa.
She served the community as a member of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, MHMR Board, Woman's Hospital Auxiliary, Crystal Ball Board, Old Timers' Club and Heart Fund.
Mary Nell was a faithful member of the Sixth and Jackson Church of Christ in Odessa, where she worshipped for over 70 years and served in many capacities including the Breakfast Ministry and children's Bible class program.
Mary Nell was preceded in death by her husband, Julius C. "Jeep" Johnson, and her brothers and sisters, Lucille Biggerstaff, Marrs Biggerstaff, Opal Johnston, Lucy Moorhead; Gaither Lee Bullock, Jo Biggerstaff, Billy Biggerstaff and Ruby Biggerstaff.
Survivors include her daughter, Karen Chresten Johnson of Odessa; nieces, Betty Ann Williams of Garland, TX; Sarah Jo Gillespie of Princeton, TX, Cherry Ann Higgins and husband, Michael Jones of Heath, TX; Judy Johnston of Plano, TX, and Mary Williams and husband, Troy of Temple, TX; and nephews, Jason Bullock and wife, Kendra of Temple, TX, Lowell Johnston, and wife, Margie of Tulsa, OK and Drew Williams and wife, Heather of Houston, TX.
Family visitation will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2010, at 2517 Bobwhite Drive in Odessa, TX.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 2, 2010, at Sixth and Jackson Church of Christ with Larry Roberts officiating. LaCour Clark, Mike Strickland, Lee Hadden, Robert (Skeet) Glover, and Richard (Pete) Glover, Billy Blackstock, David Duree, Tommy Kennedy, Mark Knox, Morris Shaw and Daniel Justis will all serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearer will be Hyden Fry.
Mary Nell's family and friend were recipients of her individualized attention and unconditional love which served as lifelong gifts to those around her, particularly her beloved students who returned to visit Mary Nell throughout the years. She will be dearly missed.
Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.
