Mary Lee VanNatter

Mary Lee VanNatter, 85, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024. She was born on May 31, 1938, to Mary Emogene and Robert Sutton Taylor in Dallas, TX. She was raised in Bryan, TX, and attended Stephen F Austin High School where she was a Bryan Bronco twirler with the marching band. She attended the University of Texas where she was a Delta Gamma and also studied business at Texas A&M. Mary Lee grew up in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Bryan where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and playing the organ in the children’s chapel. 

Mary Lee was blessed to be a loving mother to four children: daughter Cindy wife of Billy Hygate, son William who preceded her in death, daughter Sherri wife of Wesley Gideon, and son Glen Shepard husband of Michelle. In addition, she was a devoted grandmother to her eight precious grandchildren, James, Andrew, Cameron, Grant, Perry, Jack, Parker, and Paige.

Her career spanned both before and after her children. Mary Lee worked for several Houston companies including PSE Engineering, Destec, and Siemens where she retired at the young age of 70. Her journey in faith continued when she became a member of Second Baptist Church in Houston in 1989. Throughout the years, she attended bible studies, game nights, and Sunday school groups with the most recent being the Heights Group. She formed many meaningful and long-lasting friendships including her beloved Lunch Bunch Prayer Warriors.

Mary Lee resided in Houston for the majority of her life.  Her passions included gardening, traveling, and ballroom dancing. She loved being outside near the water, whether she was swimming, fishing, or cruising the high seas. You could routinely find her in her sports jerseys cheering on her favorite teams, the Astros, Rockets, or Texans depending on the season. But by far her favorite love and pastime was her grandchildren. She never passed up the chance to attend their sports, plays, or school events. She was everyone’s greatest cheerleader!

Mary Lee was adored by so many.  She found joy and goodness in everyone she touched. She was the sweetest of souls and will be greatly missed.