A visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be held at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas on Saturday, March 23, 2024 and a graveside burial at Everman Cemetery, Everman, Texas on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at Noon, officiated by Pastor Chuck Ballard.
Mary Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll E. Amos, and her parents, Mary Allen Rodgers and Claude Thomas Rodgers, sister Maye Rodgers Freeman, (husband Nile) and brother Homer Thomas Rodgers, niece Barbara Ann Rodgers Davis and husband Earnest Taylor Davis.
Survivors include her great-niece Michele (Shelley Davis) Boerder and husband Scott, great-nephews Michael Davis and wife Cheri, and Craig Davis; Great-great nephews: Ryan Boerder, Dustin Davis and wife Lora, Dillon Davis and wife Amanda, great-great-nieces Danielle Davis Fife, husband Andy, and great-great niece Taylor Ann Davis, along with additional ''great-great-greats'' Aden Fife, Adley Fife, Blakely Davis, Sutton Davis; and her beloved caregivers, Brenda Foster (''Guardian Angel-on-Earth''), Edra Brantley, and Cindy Scott.
Mary Lucille graduated from the University of North Texas in January, 1945 with a Bachelor's degree in Library Science and later, a Master's in Library Science from the University of Michigan in 1969.
She met her husband, Carroll E. Amos, an officer in the Army Air Force during WW II, at the Fort Worth Public Library where Carroll would read the business and financial magazines. He would chuckle that he ''checked her out of the library and never returned her.'' After marrying in December, 1945, the couple moved to Carroll's home state of Ohio and were married for over 50 years.
Upon retirement, Mary was Associate Professor Emeritus of Library Science at Bowling Green State University (Ohio), and to the date of her death stayed in touch with former students: Theresa Fredericka, John Myles and Betsy Shoffstall. On her 90th birthday, she received stacks of birthday cards from former students.
Mary started her career as a university librarian, then 3rd grade teacher in Maumee, Ohio. Later she was a Specialist in Children's Literature for the Toledo Board of Education, and as a Television Teacher for WSPD-TV for Lucas County Library and the University of Toledo. She received the Ohio Educational Library Media Association's highest award, and a Distinguished Teaching Award at Bowling Green State University.
Mary Lucille (called ''Cealie'' by her family) would return to Texas each summer and read books and tell stories to her ''grands.'' She later moved back to Texas, to Greenville after the death of her husband in 1997, to be near her family. She enjoyed 27 years of friendships in Greenville, including neighbors E.B. and Cookie Sorrells, and friends at Aldersgate Church.
She had humor and quick-wit, even to her last days, and was always interested in others, encouraging them.
One of her favorite hymns was ''To God Be the Glory'' - great things He as done; So loved he the world that He gave us His Son… Praise the Lord !''
In lieu of flowers, Mary Lucille suggested donations to Les Feldick Ministries, ''Through the Bible,'' 3706 W. Lona Valley Rd., Kinta, OK 74552, or at the discretion of a giver (her family suggests giving a child a book, as she had a long career in encouraging reading to children).
Condolences(2)
Dave Shugar
Maumee, OH Monday, April 22, 2024 Mary Amos told the best stories I have ever heard. I knew her first as the Children's Librarian at the Maumee Branch of the Lucas County Library. She gave me at an early age a love of reading and books. I had the privilege of having her as my teacher in Third Grade and being in her class for the whole school year. She gave me access to the Wayne Trail Elementary School library whenever I had free time in class. She told me "Read and watch your world grow!" I did and I am forever grateful for her advice. My wife had Library Science Classes with Professor Amos at Bowling Green State University. Every class was a wealth of knowledge on libraries and Candy had a 35-year career as a Middle School Librarian with Toledo Public Schools. I enjoyed picking Candy up after her library classes and being able to catch up with Mary. She is still part of my life every day and will be missed.Paula LaRue
Van Wert, OH Sunday, March 24, 2024 I was one of her many students at BGSU, and I owe much of the foundation of my 32-year career as a school librarian to her. She was probably my favorite educator ever -- even in rigorous classes, we had fun, and learned so much. The world is a much better place because of Mary Amos.