Cover photo for Mary E. Cantrell's Obituary
1930 Mary 2022

Mary E. Cantrell

November 30, 1930 — September 8, 2022

Rio Rancho

Mary E. Cantrell was called home and restored by our Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

Born November 30, 1930, to Hardy Harold and Mary Ethel Coker Corley in Stamford, TX., Mary joined her sisters and brother in the family home, not ever having the joy of knowing her Mom, who passed away due to complications of her birth.  Her father and extended family raised Mary, Ruth, Martha and James.  It was a time when families “just did that.”  Growing up in Stamford, and being from Stamford, was always important to Mary. Her stories and recollections of her dad’s business ventures and entrepreneurship to provide for the family, along with his generosity, instilled traits in Mary she carried with her throughout her life.  The “Corley Girls” were always up to something and there was nothing sweeter than the laughter at family gatherings when the stories were told.

Mary and her sister Ruth moved to Fort Worth, TX just out of High School to work for the phone company as operators and enjoy the “city life.”

In 1950, Mary wed Kenneth B. Cantrell and worked for Cobb’s Department Store and Plains National Bank in Lubbock. In August of 1960 Mary and Kenneth welcomed daughter, Kenna.  In the early 1960s, Mary went to Cosmetology School and then to work for Isbell Powell in Lubbock.  Soon after, she purchased the shop location in Redbud Center and launched “Mary Cantrell Hairstylists.”

In the late 1970’s Mary moved to Houston, Tx and returned to banking, later moving to Dallas to be near her sister Ruth and continued in Banking Customer Service until her retirement in 1995.

In 1995 Mary moved back to Lubbock and worked part time at Lubbock National Bank.

In 2006, after triumphing over breast cancer, Mary moved to Rio Rancho to be closer to Karen and Kenna.  She became active again in her long- time social sorority, gladly providing transportation for so many of the other women who were no longer driving.  Mary volunteered at Presbyterian Health High Resort and always cherished her pink volunteer coat.  Once she no longer volunteered there, she began volunteering at the Rio Rancho Meadowlark Senior Center where she loved greeting and enrolling new members and helping them sign up for classes and activities.

Mary has loved on, and been loved by, many over her lifetime.  Her contagious smile became her calling card along with her well twanged greetings.  Mary loved to laugh and could connect with people easily due to her quick wit and unconditional love.  She was always ready and willing to contribute to group meals and share her regularly requested recipes. Mary aged gracefully and was forever asked how she kept her skin looking so good.  She loved to share her “little secrets” -all the while being surprised by the countless compliments she would receive.

The gratitude we have for the love and care that Mary received at the Retreat Gardens is immeasurable.  The family she became a member of when she moved in will forever be in our hearts.  There is no doubt her quality of life was far greater there, after her recent health issues, than it could have been anywhere else.  Her soul was fed, and her mind was eased by the staff’s compassionate, and dignity driven assistance.

 As her little body became more in need of care, Hospice de la Luz provided an extension of the loving, compassionate assistance she was receiving. We are grateful to them for their support.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; former husband Kenneth Cantrell; sister, Martha Berry; brother, James Corley; sister, Ruth Havstad; nieces Mitzi Taylor and Scarlett Baldwin.

Mary is survived by; Daughter, Kenna Cantrell and Bonus Daughter Karen Pace; nephew A.C. Berry Jr. (Kristi); niece Pilar Love (Ernie) as well as many loving Coker, Corley and Cantrell cousins and great nieces and nephews.

Should friends desire to make a memorial donation, please consider the “Retreat Rebels” Walk to End Alzheimer’s in memory of Mary Cantrell. 

 

Family and Friends will Celebrate her loving life on Wednesday, September 14th, 5:00pm at Daniels Family Funeral, 4310 Sara Rd., Rio Rancho, NM  87124.  Reception to follow. 

For Mary’s Texas family and friends, she will be Celebrated Saturday, September 17th, 2:00pm at Resthaven Memorial Park Chapel, 5740 W. 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407.  Reception to follow.

 

Livestream Event Code 207936

 

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary E. Cantrell, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

5:00 - 6:00 pm (Mountain time)

Daniels Family Funeral Services - Sara Road Chapel

4310 Sara Rd, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Livestream

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Reception to follow.

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Celebration of Life

Saturday, September 17, 2022

2:00 - 3:00 pm (Central time)

Resthaven Memorial Park Chapel

5740 W. 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407

Interment and reception to follow.

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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