Mary Lee Huffman

Mary Lee Huffman

1926-2021

Mary Lee Huffman (known as Aunt Mary to her family) died Monday evening, June 28, 2021. Born in Cisco, Texas on April 20, 1926, she moved from Cisco to Houston in 1943 at the age of 17 and went to work for Humble Oil Company (now Exxon). In her younger years, Mary Lee was active in tennis (winning a city championship) and golf. She also ran daily and loved to snow ski. She worked at Exxon for 38 years and retired early in 1981 from the Exxon Production Research Co, Employee Relations Department. Mary Lee then moved to Bolivar Peninsula and was co-owner of a popular roadside eatery called Qik-Chick until 1998. Her business partner was longtime friend and roommate Eloise Jeter. Mary Lee loved Bolivar Peninsula with its great beaches, fishing, and crabbing. 

She was a member of Bayvue United Methodist Church, she served on the Bolivar Peninsula Water Supply Company Board for 15 years and was also on the Board of Directors of the Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of the Crystal Beach Cemetery Association. Mary Lee also served on the Galveston Bay Estuary Program and was a member of the Galveston Bay Foundation. She was also named Honorary Citizen of the Year in 2005 by the Chamber of Commerce. In September of 2008, Mary Lee's Bolivar home was destroyed by hurricane Ike and she moved permanently to her Houston home in the Westbury area. Mary Lee was a member of the Westbury Baptist Church and attended weekly up until the time that COVID interrupted regular services at the Church. 

Mary Lee had many lifelong friends that she stayed in contact with by routinely calling them and exchanging letters and e-mails. One of Mary Lee's most important wishes was to maintain her independence and stay in her Westbury home as long possible. Fortunately, she was able to do that all the way to the end. Only in the last few months of her life did Mary Lee need more assistance and she was dearly grateful for her regular Driver (Billie) and her Caregiver (Sharon) during that time. She loved them as if they were her own family and I am sure they felt that love. Although Mary Lee's health had declined some, she was still active, and her mind was as sharp as ever as she continued to take care of her own business and personal affairs. 

She was in the hospital only for a short stay before she passed away and did not suffer any pain. Mary Lee is now in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We will all miss you Mary Lee but will remember all the fun times we had together and all the love you gave us. Rest in Peace and we love you!

Mary Lee is preceded in death by her parents, Ellon and Llyod Surles, and her sisters, Lloydellon Burnette, Betty Lou Boyd, and June Riddle along with her niece Billie June Wilson.

She is survived by her sister Frances Hackfield, and nieces Mary Lou Dill, Debbie McCartney and her husband Larry, Karen Berry and her husband Paul. Also, nephews; Johnny Dill, Kevin Burnette and his daughter Courtney Burnette, Lynn Hackfield, Danny Hackfield, David Hackfield, Darryl Hackfield and Dawn Weber as well as Billie June Wilson's Husband Marico and children Kimberly and Brandon along with several great and great-great nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Gracie.

Services to honor Mary Lee's life will be held on Saturday, July 10th at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., with the Service at 2:00 p.m., followed by interment. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to a charity of your choice. Mary Lee routinely donated to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the SCPA.