Mary Lillie Calvin

Mary Lillie Calvin was born on September 14, 1939 in Shaw, Mississippi. She was the oldest of 7 children. Baptized early as a Christian, her father was a Deacon at their church. She relayed many stories of playing with her siblings, working on the farm where they lived, and hosting the many ministers for their Sunday meal as they preached in the area. One of the popular stories from her childhood was her cousin Hattie was born first, but Mary walked first. Her whole life reflected embracing the opportunities that came her way. She was nicknamed Tea due to spilling hot tea on herself (her family loved nicknames) and the name Tea was used by her family her entire life.

Mary was very active in school. Along with her studies, she ran track, played basketball, and tried her hand at playing the trumpet. The music teacher was NOT impressed and suggested she try something else. However, she loved music her entire life and Lou Rawls was her favorite artist.

Mary and her family moved to Greenville, Mississippi during her childhood where she graduated from O’Bannon High School in 1957. She also met a certain young man by the name of Willie James Calvin Jr. while attending O’Bannon. He joined the Army, they married 15 months later on December 25, 1959 and would stay together for 64 years until her passing.

Mary embraced being a military wife like she embraced everything else. She counted the cost and enjoyed the adventure while being a devoted wife and mother of four children. She had the opportunity to live in Alaska, California, Virginia, Germany, and finally Texas. Her favorite hobbies were watching soap operas, game and cooking shows, LifeTime movies and TV Dramas

After moving to Converse, TX, Mary and her husband Willie were very active at Resurrection Baptist Church. Along with being one of the early families to join, Mary was active in the Women’s Choir, Usher Ministry, Deacon and Minister’s Wives ministry as well as the Senior Ministry. She also taught Sunday School and attended the Lunch with Lord Bible Study. She loved traveling with the Senior’s Ministry.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James Mays and Cora (Pearson) Mays and siblings (Jean Mays Harris, Erma Mays Harris, James Mays, Jr, Roy Mays, Lois Mays and Sandra Mays) and daughter LaMelbra Gutierrez. She is survived by her husband Willie James Calvin Jr and children Ronald Calvin, Richard Calvin (Tamra), Barbara Calvin. sister Cora Whitehead (John) and cousin Hattie Thompson who was like a sister to her. She is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other relatives.