Mary Etta White Abshier

Mary Etta White Abshier went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, January 1, 2014. She was born on February 23, 1925, the second of five children born to Charles Cleveland and Ruth Lyon White near Devers, Texas in Liberty County. She grew up in a close community of small farms which included the home of Bentley and Ethel Abshier. On June 18, 1942 she married their younger son Ernie Abshier. They enjoyed sixty-three years of marriage before his death on April 19, 2006. Their home was blessed with three children. Lynn Meadows lives in Gautier, Mississippi. Clif Abshier and his wife Lil live in Bishop, Texas. And Jay Abshier and his wife Renea live in Spring, Texas. She was also blessed with seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and nine great great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her parents and two of her siblings, her older brother Charles White and her younger sister Ruth Walton. She is also survived by her younger sister Alice Nell Hammond and her husband Earle of Houston, Texas; and her younger brother James White and his wife Sara of San Antonio, Texas.

She was a member of the Amelia Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas for most of her adult life. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Girls Auxiliary, as well as working in the church nursery. Her long-time friends at Amelia are fond of referring to Mary as a prayer warrior. She was faithful in her devotion to Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Her example of faith was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. She truly demonstrated a servant heart as she stood ready to meet the needs of any who passed her way. Her devotion to her family was the legacy of her life. Each one experienced her unconditional love and acceptance, her ever present listening ear, and her commitment to faithfully lift them up before the Lord in prayer.

In February of 2007 she moved to Bishop, Texas to live with her son Clif. She joined the First Baptist Church of Bishop. Dementia limited her involvement, but she was faithful in attendance as long as her health allowed. She died at home on January 1, 2014 after less than two weeks of hospice care. Special appreciation is extended to Charlene Fowler, Dorothy Alvarez and Irma Rea, three wonderful ladies who assisted in her care during the past few years.

A celebration of Mary’s life is planned for 11am on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the Amelia Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas. Interment will be at 3pm that day at the Abshier Cemetery near Hankamer, Texas. Visitation with the family will be from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, January 10, 2014 at Claybar Funeral Home in Beaumont, Texas. Additional appreciation is expressed to Charles and Steven Roberson of Roberson Funeral Home in Alice, Texas for their assistance.

Serving as pallbearers are Mary’s grandsons Ross Yelverton, Randy Yelverton, and Micah Abshier; grandson-in-law Rusty Crowe; great grandsons Joey Yelverton, Chance Yelverton, Landis Yelverton and Blaize Crowe; and honorary pallbearer great great grandson JoJo Yelverton.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Amelia Baptist Church, 8055 Brighton, Beaumont, Texas 77707 or First Baptist Church of Bishop, Texas, 311 E. 5th Street, Bishop, Texas 78343 or the charity of one’s choice.