Mary Sue Bethel (1947 - 2011)

ODESSA. Losing her valiant fight to survive cancer, Mary Sue Williams Bethel, friend to all and stranger to none, departed this life on Saturday, April 2, 2011, to be with her Lord and Savior. Weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces at birth, she entered this world the way she left it, struggling for survival.

Born in Houston, TX, on September 14, 1947, to Mary Lois and Robert Williams, Mary Sue brought joy to all who knew her. With her gentle, loving spirit, she rejoiced in the successes of friends and family members, but was also there for them in time of need with a helping hand, dependable faith and quiet strength. Once love is given, it cannot be taken back.

Mary Sue had a big heart and was generous with her love. Her great warmth and personality attracted many loyal friends and a family who adored her.

Mary Sue attended the Hockaday School in Dallas and graduated from Austin College in Sherman, TX, with a B.A. in Accounting and a minor in History.

She spent ten years in the East Texas area where she learned to play golf and became an avid golfer. She joined a golf association whereby she played on Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Arkansas courses, making many "golf" friends along the way. She still found time to work for the Rex Nichol's Law Firm for several years.

Moving to Odessa, she worked for the Shafer Law Firm for approximately eight years. She loved her job working for James M. O'Leary, who encouraged her to keep up her education pushing her to get her Certified Legal Assistant, which she did in 1993.

Mary Sue married Howard R. Bethel, Jr, on March 12, 1994, in Odessa, TX. After that marriage, she joined the Howard Bethel Insurance Agency, working alongside of him, Janet Ansley (his long-time assistant and agent) and agent, Donna Cox for twelve years, until cancer reared its ugly head in 2008 and she could no longer work.

She is survived by the love of her life, husband, Howard Bethel of Odessa; sister, Roberta Terrell and husband, Cliff of Sugar Land, TX; niece, Kimberly McCoy and husband, Jim, of Houston, TX, and their three children; nephews, Chris Von Eiff and wife, Susan of Missouri City, TX; Kyle Von Eiff and wife, Jami of Loveland, CO; Ray Butler and wife, Lorraine of Alvin, TX, and their three children; and Steve Butler of Alvin, TX. Unable to have children of her own, she considered them all as her "children" and gave them all the love a mother could give.

She is also survived by several other children due to her marriage to Howard, who were also very important to her, and whom she loved very much: son, Howard Bethel III of New Braunfels, TX; Brittany Bethel of Odessa, daughter of Howard R. Bethel III and Connie Davis; Hagan Bethel, son of Howard Bethel III; son, Ron Bethel and his daughter, Courtney, both of Houston, TX; and daughter, Tasia Bethel of Houston, and her son Juston, and grandson, Jonathon, both of Dallas, TX.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Lois Williams, along with her sister, Joanne Hicks of Alvin, TX, the mother of Ray and Steve Butler.

Mary Sue was known for her kindness, sense of humor and wit. She touched many people's lives without even knowing it. She was a good woman and a good listener. She loved her aide, Nina Heiser and nurse, Barbara Norris of Home Hospice, and they spent time developing lasting friendships. She also had a caretaker, Margaret Shannon, with whom she had a lot of fun during her last months and who helped her organize her life. Margaret would pack for her, even picking out the jewelry for each outfit. Mary Sue came to say that "I cannot do without you. You have spoiled me rotten." Which Margaret did. Jimmy Braswell, the Home Hospice minister, provided lots of prayers which the family dearly appreciated because of his busy schedule. Bob Sams, the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church provided lots of comfort to Mary Sue and Howard for which they are thankful.

She and Howard really appreciated all of the members of the church who brought food, said prayers, and who helped start a "small group," where Mary Sue and Howard could ask for prayers and who provided lots of comfort when Mary Sue needed it. She firmly believed that the prayers were what kept her alive from the extra time she was originally given.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2011, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.

The family will have a private burial service, and then a Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jimmy Braswell officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.