Mary Baber

Mary Frances Baber, longtime resident of Hobbs, NM, sixty-seven year member of Hobbs First Baptist Church, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend, died peacefully, June 28 2023 in Plano, TX where she lived for the final three and a half years of her life near daughter Alice Baber Brumback.

At age 95, Mary lived a full and beautiful life.  She was devoted to her Lord and savior Jesus Christ, her family, her community, and her friends.  Absent from the body but present with the Lord, she has undoubtedly been greeted in heaven with the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

Mary was born October 16, 1927, near Tenaha, TX to Maude Lane and Tollie Burton Echols.  Preceding her in death are her parents, four younger siblings, Van Willie Echols, Edyth Louise Henderson, John Burton Echols Sr., Janet Sue Bigham and husband Guy Allen Baber, Jr.

In 1933 Mary moved with her family to Dunn, TX where her father farmed cotton and maize.  Mary spoke of fond memories of growing up and working on the farm.  Living and working through the depression, Mary leaned the value of hard work, hope in the sight of need, and a dependence on God for all things.

Mary graduated from Snyder High School in 1944.  Soon after she worked as a Home Demonstration Agent, then on as a teller for Snyder National Bank, where she met her future husband.  Guy Allen Baber, Jr. moved to Snyder TX with National Supply Co. and came into the bank one day to inquire about his account, and why it had been closed.  As the teller, Mary responded, “Mr. Baber you are at the wrong bank”.  Guy’s response to her was, “Well, how about lunch”?  Thus began a life full of love, commitment, and humor.

Guy and Mary were married on September 2, 1950, at First Baptist Church in Snyder, TX.  Marrying Guy, Mary was so thankful for the family that she gained in his mother, father, sister and aunts.  Along with her Echols family, trips to visit Echols in Snyder and Babers in Sulphur, LA created a bond that is evident in the love shared by the Echols, Baber, and Henning families today.

Soon after marriage, Mary and Guy moved to Eunice NM, then on to Hobbs, where Guy eventually began, owned and operated Baber Well Servicing Company.  They joined First Baptist Church Hobbs in 1952 where Mary served in most every capacity.  Her son Guy volunteered her to teach his 4-year-old Sunday school class, a position which she held for 35 years.  Mary made a difference in the lives of everyone she met.  She loved her Lord and the church that she served.

Mary and Guy had three children, Guy Allen III, John Burton, and Alice Louise.  As a mother, Mary’s selflessness was never more evident than in her devotion to her children.  She kept the road hot traveling to watch Guy and John play in sporting events and watch Alice cheer and dance.  Being extremely proud of her children, she was their biggest fan.

Just as proud, Mary was blessed with four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Those children include, grandson Guy Allen Baber IV, wife Vickie and sons, Guy Allen V (Quincy), Julian Paul and Daniel Taylor, granddaughter, Lauren Baber Hill, husband Ryan, children Lena Kate and John Ryan, granddaughters Meredith Jewell and Ashley Claire Brumback.

Mary served on the College of the Southwest board and was for many years involved in the Miss America scholarship pageant hosting young women and Miss New Mexico recipients from all across the state.  Mary enjoyed playing golf and was president of the Hobbs Country Club Ladies Golf Association.

Mary loved to travel.  She and Guy traveled extensively to AOSC conventions and numerous events and activities for Texas A&M University.  Mary traveled all over the world with Giovanni Tours.

She will be missed by the friends that she enjoyed lunch with on Wednesday (golf), Friday (lifelong), and Saturday (church).

To describe her is to say she was a beautiful example of love, class, and beauty.   She will be missed but will forever be in our hearts and memory.

Mary is survived by her son Guy, daughter-in-law Janice, son John, daughter Alice and son-in-law Mark Brumback, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Hobbs.