Mary Nelle Stine

Obituary For Mary Nelle Stine

Mary Nelle Stine, 104, slipped away peacefully on May 31, 2025, after a long life marked by grace, strength, and determination.

Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3rd, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, with Mike Henson officiating.

Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4th, at the Crestview Mausoleum in Wichita Falls.

Family will receive friends prior to the service on Tuesday, June 3rd, at the Funeral Home from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

She was born on January 9, 1921, to Artie Alma (Young) and William G. Hawkins, and grew up in rural Texas, where humble beginnings shaped a lifelong sense of resilience, resourcefulness, and determination.

As a young woman, she spent a short time at Texas Woman's University before beginning the next chapter of her life - focused on home, family, and a life she would cultivate with resolve and unwavering spirit. On December 31, 1939, she married Ward L. Stine. Together for nearly sixty years, they shared a marriage of enduring strength and love, lasting until Ward’s passing; a partnership built on shared purpose, loyalty, and unwavering devotion to their two children. In 1963, they moved their residence from the ranch into town, establishing a new home on Sessions Street in Bowie, where Mary Nelle would reside with distinct presence and quiet serenity for the rest of her life.

Mary Nelle was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an acknowledgment of her deep roots and respect for history and heritage. Throughout her life, she remained active in her community and social circles. She was a proud and engaged member of the Maids and Matrons Club, and co-founded an investment group with a circle of close friends - a venture that brought them to Dallas each month, blending business savvy with camaraderie and lifelong connection. An astute and competitive bridge player, she was often sought after as a partner for her sharp memory, strategic thinking, and calm under pressure.

She had a natural sense of style and a sophisticated confidence that made her presence known without needing to announce it. She loved to travel, especially across Europe and on river cruises, and she approached each experience with a thoughtful, observant eye. At home, she spent time sewing and adept needlepoint, creating beautiful, lasting pieces that reflected both skill and patience.

Later in life, Mary Nelle found a close companion in her dear friend Larry. Together, they continued to enjoy life - traveling, sharing stories, and finding joy in each other's company. She also formed close relationships with her caregivers, whose warmth and presence brought comfort and dignity to her days. Their care went beyond the everyday - it became friendship and family.

Mary Nelle was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Bowie, where she lived her faith with consistency and kindness. She delighted in life's simpler joys - ice cream with her morning cereal, especially crunchy curly-Q fries, deeply sticky caramel candies, freshly popped popcorn, and her ongoing (and well-known) campaign for coffee that was truly hot enough. Her love of cream of wheat knew no bounds!

She was preceded in death by her husband Ward L. Stine, her daughter Nancy Karen Stewart, her grandson William Wade Stewart, and her daughter-in-law Cyndi Stine.

She is survived by her son Herb H. Stine of Wichita Falls, TX; her grandchildren Meghan Stine of Corpus Christi, TX; H. Laine Stewart (Laura) of Weatherford, TX; Laura Kay Hughes (Bob) of Newton, MA; and nine great-grandchildren: Ella and Erin of Nacogdoches, TX; Charlotte of Weatherford, TX; and Charlie, Thomas, Edward, Mac, Grace, and Catherine Hughes of Newton, MA.

Mary Nelle leaves behind a legacy of subtle strength, impeccable style, and a life well lived - filled with moments of joy, enduring connection, and graceful resilience.

Arrangements Entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.