Mary Elizabeth Holbert-Haynes was born on June 8, 1955 in Oakland, California, and passed away on March 31, 2016 in Webster, Texas. The daughter of Della Gary and James Holbert, Mary lived her earliest years in Oakland and Berkeley, California until she relocated with her mother to Tyler, Texas.

Mary eventually settled permanently in Texas. She attended Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas. She later moved to Houston where it became her home and the place where she had many wonderful experiences, friendships and personal accomplishments.

Mary would eventually unite with Arthur (A.J.) Willis and they became parents to Rondrae Shikendrick George Holbert in 1978. When Rondrae was 8, Mary married Harold J. Haynes of Port Arthur, Texas. From Rondrae’s marriage to Alicia Alvarado, Mary was blessed with four wonderful grandchildren: Joseph, Alexus, Zerek and Kerah.

Aside from her immediate offspring she is survived by her older brother, James Raymond Holbert and sister, Linda Holbert-Hall of California. Aunts; Loyce Gary-Collier of Morton Mississippi, Ethel Mae Gary of Oakland, California and Uncle Theaodis Gary of Indianapolis, Indiana. Mary is also survived by many cousins throughout the United States including Mississippi, California, Washington, and Chicago.

Mary held many different jobs in her career, including H & L, Bechtel and Metro. She played the piano for a time and loved travel as well as the comfort and companionship of several dear friends. Her favorite color was red.

Though she was confined to a patient care facility for the final year of her life, Mary stayed connected to the local and distant world through her interest in the digital age, maintaining contact through her computer and cell phone.

Mary fought a courageous and extended battle to survive health challenges that would have discouraged any less spirit and will. Determined to beat the odds and to return to her life the way it was before the medical issues, she fought with unrelenting optimism.

In her own unique way Mary touched the lives of all those dear to her. Her elegant presence was a strong and valuable contribution in their lives. Her family and friends were equally valuable and appreciated by her. She will be missed among these friends and family, though all who miss her will be comforted by warm memories and the faith that she is in the greatest place of all. Mary would be pleased to see friends and family reconnect and create new bonds as they share the gift of her life.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm Friday, April 8, 2016, and the service celebrating Mary’s life will be at 10:00am Saturday, April 9, 2016, all held at Niday Funeral Home.

Here is a link to the GoFundMe page if you could help contribute towards funeral expenses.

https://www.gofundme.com/p5x99wbw