Mary Bigger Gholston died Wednesday morning, March 19, 2014 at Parkway Place in Houston, TX after a long and happy life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Troy Gholston; two sisters, Orita Morrison and Juanita Cobb; and brother, Lawrence Bigger.

Mrs. Gholston is survived by two sons, James (Jim) Gholston and wife Ruth of Hideaway, TX and Gary Gholston and wife Jan of Richmond, TX; four grandchildren, Roland Gholston of Nevada, TX, Katy Gholston Acosta and husband Darren of Sugar Land, TX, Brad Gholston and wife Christy of Katy, TX, and Lindsey Gholston Norby and husband Paul of Snohomish, WA; and great-grandchildren, Kaya, Kaly, Kacy and Delaney Acosta, Mary and Sarah Gholston, and Adalyn Mary and Anders Norby. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lucille Gholston of Carthage, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and many loving friends.

Mrs. Gholston was born in Winnsboro, TX to Auzie Lee (Thomas) and Reverend Marvin Jackson Bigger on Jan. 2, 1920. As the baby P.K. ("preacher's kid"), Mary never met a stranger and embraced life to the fullest. By the time she graduated from GrovetonHigh School, her activities included church worship, school organizations, playing saxophone in the Indian Band and being the "yell leader" at sporting events. After graduation, Mary attended college at East Texas State Teacher's College (Texas A & M, Commerce) where she was hired as the hostess for the Home Economics Hall to plan student meals, served as the Resident Assistant (RA) for her dorm and was elected as a member of the Residence Hall Association. With a positive attitude, outgoing personality, strong leadership skills and her home economics degree in hand, she came to Carthage to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Orita and E. B. Morrison and find a job. Mary acquired a home economics teaching position at the local National Youth Association (NYA) home which provided work training and lodging for women, ages 16 to 24, from area communities. Shortly after, Mary began dating Troy, one of E. B.'s former students & football players. On July 17, 1941, they married in the living room of the Morrison's home because their church sanctuary was being remodeled. By the end of the year, the NYA home closed, but Q. M. Martin, superintendent of Carthage ISD, asked Mary to fill a first grade teaching opening at the primary school. When describing her experience as a first grade teacher she would always say, "I never felt like I ever worked a day." By 1953, she left the world of education. Mary joined Troy as owner/manager of Carthage Furniture Company on the northeast corner of the square. Together they created a successful business which earned several awards for sales and service before they retired in 1979. Mrs. Gholston loved being active in her community. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Carthage, the Upper Room Sunday School Class, the Carter Circle, the Carthage Club where the Gholston's were founding members and The Quarterback Club (formerly The Carthage Football Club). Other passions included travel, fishing, volunteer work and was a professional shopper. Whatever Mary did, she did it in a way which lifted people's spirits. After moving to Houston in May of 2006, she continued to be active by regularly attending church at Parkway Place, earning the title of "Bingo Queen", forming a domino club, teaching dominoes and "42" to residents and staff, serving as Vice-President of the Parkway Residents' Committee, decorating for social events, joining the Haven's craft group, and leading sing-a-longs at her church services. She also led a monthly sing along with "Butch & Karen" at Parkway. Both staff and residents marveled how Mary knew every verse of any song by heart, whether it be a hymn, classic or popular tune. Mary inspired both residents and employees at Parkway Place with her positive attitude and was a blessing to everyone that she touched in her lifetime. Painting memories with a smile, a kind word, an open door and a loving heart, marked the lives of all she encountered with a 100% can-do attitude.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Leah Hanks officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers are Phil Grimes, Gene Giles, Dr. Eddie Morrison, Howard Cobb, Roland Gholston, and Brad Gholston.

If desired, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, TX 75633.

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