Dr. Mary Lynn Davison DeShazo, age 89, of Huntsville, Texas, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Huntsville. Dr. DeShazo was born on August 14, 1929, in Panola County to the late Lloyd Shipp and Fairy Bowers Davison. She married Charles William DeShazo in 1965. Dr. DeShazo earned her Bachelor's Degree from East Texas Baptist College in 1949, her Master's Degree from the University of Houston in 1957 and her Doctorate in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University in 1968. She began her education career teaching biology and chemistry in Port Arthur, Texas, Cleveland, Texas, and Houston, Texas. Beginning in 1957, Dr. DeShazo began 50+ years of service for Sam Houston State University teaching Chemistry and advising and mentoring students. In 1984, she became Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sam Houston State University and in 1987, Associate Dean. During her years of teaching, she received many honors, among them begin designated Professor Emeritus of Chemistry in 2008, recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award 2007/2008 presented by SHSU Collegiate Alumni, recipient of SHSU Excellence in Service Award for 1994, and selected to represent SHSU at the National Recognition Program for Women at the University of Houston in 1985. Mary Lynn had a generous spirit. She was a fierce supporter of equal rights and loved her home town of Carthage, Texas, which she returned to regularly to visit family and friends. Mary Lynn is preceded in death by her husband, Charles DeShazo; and brothers, James Lloyd Davison and Tollie Bowers Davison.

Mary Lynn is survived by her step-son Don DeShazo and wife Hilda of McAllen, Texas; sister-in-law, Helen Davison of The Woodlands, Texas; nephew, Ben Davison and wife Sandra of Houston, Texas; niece, Ann Sattler and husband Scott of Seattle, WA; great-nephews, Austin, Carter and Parker Davison and Hank Sattler; and great-niece, Chloe Sattler. Also surviving are cousins, Donna Arnold and husband Bill, Lynn Poss and wife Sharron, and Lonnie Poss and wife Marcia all of Carthage, Texas; Hubert Parkman and wife of Tenaha, Texas.

Special thanks to friend and caretaker, Jo Ann Redd and husband Eugene of Huntsville as well as Taylor Klett, fellow professor and long-time friend for the roles they played in Mary Lynn's life.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2019, at Antioch Cemetery near Carthage. Local arrangements are by Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either of the following charities: Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.