Mary “Bubba” Shepperd Morse
December 6, 1946 – September 7, 2018
Mary Ruth Shepperd Morse, 71, of College Station, passed away Friday, September 7, 2018, in Bryan. Services will be held Thursday, September 13, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory at 3001 S. College Avenue in Bryan. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. funeral celebration and then graveside services at College Station City Cemetery.
Mary was born December 6, 1946, in Brownfield, Texas, to Guy J. Shepperd and Willie E. (Copeland) Shepperd. She attended Roswell High School, Class of 1965. Upon moving to College Station in 1981, she accepted a teaching position at A&M Consolidated High School where she taught for 3 years. In 1984, she began working for the City of College Station as a graphic designer in the Print/Mail Department. Mary retired from the city in 2007 after 23 years of service.
Mary always had a smile for everyone and is remembered by family and friends alike as kind, loving, strong-willed, and a little hardheaded—traits one might expect from the only sister to four larger-than-life brothers. In addition to an excessive love of Christmas and all things Santa, Mary enjoyed genealogy, reading, cross-stitching, and traveling. Her favorite pastime, however, was being with her family.
“Today we cried, we laughed, and we cried some more as we mourned the loss of an amazing woman, Mary Shepperd Morse,” one grandson shared on Friday. “When I was young, she tried so hard to get me to say ‘Grandmother,’ ‘Grandma,’ ‘Grandmamma,’ or anything that would resemble one of the above. Unfortunately, she had met her hardheaded match, and I would respond only with ‘Bubba.’ As time went on, she affectionately accepted the name, wearing it with pride—it becoming one of her favorite memories to share. Many reading this may have never known her name was Mary, rather than Bubba. It became who she was … “Our Bubba”. Today, all of us grandchildren fondly remember time spent with her, passing on her love of family history, music, theater, and reading. Individually and collectively, we admired her unflappable courage in the face of a 23-year battle with primary pulmonary hypertension. We reflect on the years we got to spend with Our Bubba. None of those years were guaranteed; none of those memories were promised, but rather granted by God, who has welcomed her without oxygen machine, pump, or cane, but with open arms.”
Her parents, grandparents, several aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, a nephew, and her beloved dog, Rosie, precede Mary in death.
Mary is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, all of College Station, Debbie Morse and Peroke Bengs, Bonnie Morse Stephen and John “Buck” Stephen, and Karla Morse Coker and Scott Coker; grandchildren Andrew Schiller and wife Shelby Schiller, Troy Schiller and partner Rachel Mock, Grahm Bengs, Fisher Coker, Crosby Coker, and Morgan Coker; great-granddaughter Ella Schiller; step-grandchildren Brent Bengs and wife Lacey, Marshall Bengs; great-step-grandson Bonner Bengs; brothers and sisters-in-law Jerry and Betty Shepperd of Manor, Larry and Rhoda Shepperd of Richmond, Richard and RoseMary Shepperd of Corpus Christi, and Walter “Bob” and Julia Shepperd of Carson City, Nevada; countless nieces and nephews; as well as daughters, sons, nieces, and nephews of the heart.
Online condolences may be shared at http://callawayjones.com/mary-morse/
Never had the privilege of meeting Mary but she was always kind to me when I asked questions about the family so she had to have been a wonderful person. Prayers that their many good memories of her bring her family and friends peace during this tough time.
To Mary’s family, I am so sorry for your lose. Mary and I went to school in Roswell, NM together and were good friends. She was also my brother-in-law, Arnol Duncan’s cousin. We have kept up by Facebook and when I read of her passing it made me sad. My prayers go out to all the family.
Becky Thomas Diehl
Memories of a dear childhood friend fill my heart with the joy & kindness of a time well spent in a little stucco church with a little girl on the front seat exploring the wonders of the world around us. Mary was cherished then and surely we will continue on our early friendship where time never ends.
Sharing the sense of loss with each of her family members. Thankful for the Comforter who helps us during these times of transition.
Loving tenderness to each of you.
May God keep you wrapped in his protective arms and bring comfort and healing to your family.
RIP Mary “Bubba”
Words cannot heal the wounds caused by losing your precious Mary aka Bubba
I have always loved and respected Mary and have very many fond memories of her from my childhood.
I will forever regret not finding time to visit her in College Station.
“Fly High Mary your work on earth is done.”
Prayers and Love from our families to yours
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm in every good deed and word.”—2 Thess. 2:16, 17.