Mary Marberry

Amid the many fireworks and celebrations of our nation's independence, the gates of Heaven opened wide to receive Mary Oma Durbin Marberry, our wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother following a 23 year courageous battle with breast cancer. Mary, who always referred to herself as a "tough old bird," walked victoriously into the arms of her savior and Lord, Jesus Christ on July 5, 2010 at the age of 77. Born in Flatonia, TX on January 25, 1933 to parents, George and Laura Bigley, Mary was raised by her adoptive parents, David L. and Genevieve (Deet) Kelly following the death of her parents. She moved to Mexia in 1951 and later married Rule "Buck" Durbin. Mary and Buck raised 7 children between them, making sure that all the children were lavished with love and raised in the First Christian Church of Mexia. Mary always placed the needs of her children above her own needs, working many long hard hours at the cotton mill in Mexia before becoming a successful insurance agent for American National Insurance. She received the prestigious "Agent of the Year" award twice while working for American National. Even during her working years, not a night passed that Mary did not fall to her knees at her bedside to pray for her family. Several years following the death of her husband, Buck, Mary married Paul Marberry. Mary and Paul had known each other for more than 50 years and Paul says he had finally married the love of his life. Mary and Paul moved to Fairfield where she enjoyed her retired life, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She loved taking care of her house and her yard, especially her flowers and her garden. From the time of her original diagnosis of breast cancer in 1987, Mary waged a tireless battle against the disease, beating it many times. She was a shining example of courage to her family as she went through her journey. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, George and Laura Bigley, her adoptive parents, David L. and Genevieve (Deet) Kelly, her brothers, Allen Bigley and Barney Bigley, her sisters Myrtle Bigley and Ann McClure, her husband, Rule "Buck" Durbin, and great grandsons, Colton Bruckner and Nolan Bruckner. Survivors include her loving husband, Paul Marberry, son and daughter in law, Randy and Mary Whitener of Corsicana, daughter, Sandi Davis of Streetman, daughter, Pansy Boles of Streetman, son and daughter in law, Dandy and Debbie Whitener of Conroe, stepsons, Steve Durbin of Brenham and Mike Durbin of Groesbeck, step- daughter, Sandy McCoy of Gladewater, stepson and wife, Paul Keith and Susan Marberry of Fairfield, stepson, Timmy Marberry of Fairfield, stepdaughter, Darla Smith of Mexia, and special niece, Shirley Bates of Elgin, special nephew, Ronnie Winn of Mesquite. Grandchildren include: Toni Smith, Paula Cates, Heather Bruckner, Kelli Tepe, Bo Whitener, Erin Whitener, Mike McCoy, Chris Durbin, Tammey Diehl, Harlan Schoor, Anthony Marberry, Brandon Marberry, Amber Marberry, and Preston Marberry. Great grandchildren include: Mikayla Smith, Mariah Smith, Caleb Smith, Kenneth Black, Paige Cates, Jake Bruckner, Hayleigh Tepe, Jonas Whitener, Chloe Whitener-Davila, and Blayton Carter. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Mexia on Saturday, July 10 with Dr. Wes Morgan officiating. Interment to follow at the Mexia Cemetery. A visitation with the family will be held from 6-8 pm on Friday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers include Jason Cates, Jeremy Tepe, Selwyn Smith, Brad Bruckner, Charlie Winn, and Anthony Marberry. Honorary pallbearers B.J. Bigley, Ronnie Winn, Gary Bigley, Paul Keith Marberry, and Timmy Marberry. The family would like the thank the following for their love and care of our dear Mary: Dr. Solanki and his staff, SMC Home Health, and the nurses and staff of Cedar Lake Hospice. The family also acknowledges the tireless efforts of her primary caregiver, Sandi Davis as well as her other caregivers, Paul Marberry, Pansy Boles, Mary Whitener, and Debbie Whitener.