Mary Era (Stewart) Biddy, a life-long disciple of Jesus, has inherited the imperishable following 92 years of faithful and faith-filled living in Avinger, Texas; San Francisco, California; and Avinger, Jefferson, and Longview. While family and friends grieve her death, a greater promise abounds: “To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord.” This truth grants everyone the grace needed to grieve and the faith to trust the promise of resurrection that leads to eternal life.
Mary was born on November 10, 1931, to parents Mallie Mae and Albert Stewart. From an early age, she cultivated an ethic of hard work from manual labor in acres of cotton fields and at home. A Majorette for Avinger High School and a member of the high school basketball team, Mary could throw her baton into the sky and catch it on its rapid descent, had a high kick that was magnificent, and could make the net of a goal swish with a well-delivered Wilson basketball.
In high school, she met the love of her life, Bennie Earl, and they were married on December 17, 1949. After Bennie Earl’s retirement, the couple traveled the United States, Canada, and even to Japan to build churches and housing, which fulfilled Mary’s life-long dream of Christian mission. Though Bennie Earl preceded her in death, Mary continued her mission work as a summer staff cook at the Wheatland Conference Center in Flagler, Colorado.
Together, Mary and Bennie Earl raised three children: Danny (Dana) of Mont Belvieu; Rebecca Russell of Longview; and Alan (Susan) of Jefferson. Seven grandsons, seventeen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews complete their legacy of love.
Memories of “Grandmother,” as many people called her, abound. Her French Toast for breakfast and chicken fried steak for dinner still leave mouths watering. She was a fiercely competitive player of 42 and SkipBo. When she lost, she pitifully pouted; when she won, she cheerfully cackled. The family has evidence to prove this. She slalom skied behind an outboard motorboat well into her 70s. The family has evidence to prove this, too. She amassed a collection of snowmen that could rival the North Pole, and she loved her Christmas tree, which she kept up year-round and decorated for the differing seasons. In her advanced years, Mary defeated pneumonia more times than people can count, leading one to say of her, “She will outlive us all.”
Mary had anecdotes that incited laughter and confusion in equal measure. “Turkey squat behind the washpot” is one example. If someone said, “Well…” she would interrupt and respond, “That’s a deep subject for shallow minds.” When someone asked her how she was doing, she often answered, “Fine as frog hair split both ways.” She voiced her harshest criticism of a person by saying they were “full of bug dust.” However, “It’s a long worm that never turns,” was her consummate quip, which she stole from her neighbor and dear friend, Sue. Grandmother believed this maxim to be sacred scripture. Once, two family members found a well-preserved earthworm that was straight as a ruler. They affixed the earthworm on top of a canvas on which Mary’s familiar saying was printed, framed it, and presented it to her as a gift, which she displayed near her family bible. To this day, no one is sure of the phrase’s precise meaning.
Throughout Mary’s life, she would conclude visits with family and friends, saying, “Give everyone my love.” This familiar refrain developed into a dialogue, especially with her grandsons. A grandson would say, “I love you,” with Grandmother protesting, “No, I love you more.” The grandson, thinking he could outwit her, would answer, “No, I love you most,” but she ended the loving banter, saying, “I love you best.” While we rejoice, give thanks, and celebrate the life of Mary Biddy, our beloved mother and grandmother, our first and last doxology will be of praise to God, the one who has loved the whole, wide world more, most, and best.
Funeral services for Mary will be 1:00pm Saturday, March 23, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Avinger. There will be a time of visitation immediately following the service.