| Tankursley, Mary Pearson 234885 |
| Birth: 02/21/1901 Death: 12/28/2011 Marriage: |
| Cemetery: Evergreen (01-66-02) |
| Record Source: Headstone, The Paris News |
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If you copy this information, please cite this as your source: Betsy Mills and Ron Brothers. The Death and Cemetery Records of Lamar County, Texas, ReBroMa Press, 2008, http://www.lamarcountytx.org/cemetery. (05/12/2025) |
| Notes THE PARIS NEWS, 29 Dec 2011: "(Picture Caption: Mary Tankursley, 110, thought to be Paris' oldest native, died Wednesday at her daughter's home in Denton.) Mary Pearson Tankursley, 110, of Denton, formerly of Paris died peacefully at home Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011. A memorial service is planned at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at First United Methodist Church in Paris with visitation at 1 p.m. prior to the service. Pastor Van Lazaroff will officiate. Burial is to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. She was born to Edmund Harrison Pearson and Laura Ellen Caviness Pearson on Feb. 21, 1901, in the Caviness community of Lamar County. Mrs. Tankursley graduated from Paris High School in 1918. Upon completion of the course of studies at Paris Commercial College, she moved to Dallas where she was employed as a secretary. While attending Ervay Street Methodist Church, she met Onnie C. Tankursley. They married on July 14, 1923. In 1934, they moved to Paris where Mrs. Tankursley continued employment as the executive secretary at National Farm Loan Association, which later became Federal Land Bank of Paris. She later worked for David E. Rainey Insurance Company and as a proofreader for the Lamar County Echo. At the age of 105, she moved to Denton to live with her daughter, Maxine Shadle. Mrs. Tankursley especially treasured her lifetime membership in the Methodist church as a fifth-generation Methodist. She began active involvement in United Methodist Women with the Sarah Anna Guild. Later several circles merged and were named the Mary Circle in her honor. In 2006 she was awarded the certificate of Special Mission Recognition by United Methodist Women. In 2001, the Paris Education Foundation established the Mary Tankursley Scholarship which is awarded annually to a Paris High School graduate who chooses to attend Paris Junior College. Twice she has been featured in the Denton Record-Chronicle, in 2008 as the oldest voter in Denton County and in 2010 as the oldest Texas Ranger fan. She was preceded in death by her parents; eight siblings, two sons-in-law, Bill Shadle and Jack Allen, and one granddaughter-in-law, Kathy Shadle. She was greatly loved by her descendants, who include two daughters, Maxine Shadle and Carolyn Allen; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Stan Shadle of Argyle and wife, Carol Beth, and Steve Meyerdirk of Denton, Joanna and Martin Toombs of Ada, Okla., Debbie and Rick Wisdom of Atlanta, Laura and Tim Lumpkin of Baytown, Karin and David Terrell of Daingerfield, Lu and Danny Presley of Frisco and Randy and Tonya Allen of Waller; 32 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends. Named as pallbearers are Stan Shadle, Randy Allen, Steve Meyerdirk, Martin Toombs, Rick Wisdom, Tim Lumpkin, David Terrell and Danny Presley. The family expresses sincere gratitude to the kind, efficient friends at Ann's Haven Hospice who have cared so lovingly for her. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Ann's Haven VNA, 325 W. McKinney, Denton, TX 75201, Paris Education Foundation, P.O. Box 356, Paris Texas 75461, or First United Methodist Church, 322 Lamar Ave., Paris, TX 75460. Services are under the direction of the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home where online condolences may be sent by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com. THE PARIS NEWS, Feb. 27, 2005: “TANKURSLEY HONORED ON 104TH BIRTHDAY - Mary Tankursley celebrated her 104th birthday recently with two parties. The first was given by the ladies of Eclips Beauty Shop where she is a regular customer. On Saturday, Feb. 12, punch and cookies were served and she was gifted with former president Bill Clinton’s book, ‘My Life.’ On Sunday, Feb. 20, First United Methodist Church honored her with a luncheon immediately after church. Rev. David Rucker gave the welcome and presented her with a framed birthday letter of congratulations from President George W. Bush. Associate minister Rev. Pam Cline and former minister of First United Methodist Church Rev. Ray Starnes also spoke at the event. Pat Fowzer led the group in singing four of Tankursley’s favorite hymns with Dr. Bill Logee singing ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness.’ The birthday cake had 104 candles on it and helping to light them was Emily Kirkman, Helen Short, her daughter, Carolyn Allen of Atlanta, Texas and granddaughter, Lou Pressley of Frisco. Also attending were great-grandchildren Kelton and Caroline Pressley.” THE PARIS NEWS, 19 Feb 2009, by Mary Madewell: "Tankursley gets 108 candles on her cake - Perhaps the city's oldest native, Mary Pearson Tankursley, begins activities today to celebrate her 108th birthday. A group from First United Methodist Church in Paris left early to have lunch with their church member, who moved to Denton several years ago to live with a daughter. 'I think it is a great thing they are coming,' Tankursley said Thursday during a telephone conversation. 'I love it when they come over.' On Saturday, her actual birthday, a family gathering is planned at a granddaughter's home in Frisco. The 'senior' of senior citizens attributes living right and eating properly for her longevity. 'I am still very healthy,' she said. 'I try to eat right.' She also attributes the care she receives from her daughter, Maxine Shadle, as being a factor. 'I think I am very much spoiled,' the mother said. 'She does so much for me.' Tankersley said she remains active but has slowed down a bit in recent years. 'I can't do as much as I used to,' she said, as she spoke about her home in Paris where she was known for her gardening skills. Tankersley lived in the same residence where she grew up prior to moving to Denton. Born Feb. 21, 1901, Tankersley can still detail the events of the 1916 Great Paris Fire and stays abreast of current events. Recalling The Great Depression of the 1930s, she said things are not as bad now as they were then, but if banks keep failing, 'we could see it get that way.' The Parisian still calls Paris home. 'I have the fondest memories,' she said. 'It is just home.'" On the same stone with Onnie C. Tankursley. |