Mary Lane Nance McBay

Mary Lane Nance McBay went home to be with Jesus on July 29, 2023, at the age of 94, just a month short of her 95th birthday.

Mary was the daughter of Irbie G. and Mamie (Mary Miranda Walker) Nance of Thornton Tx. Mary, along with her twin sister, Martha, were born on August 18, 1928. The twins were the youngest of six children born to their parents. Being part of the sixth generation of her family who made their home in Limestone County, Texas, Mary grew up helping her siblings work in the cotton fields on their farm outside of Thornton, TX. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Thornton High School, having to attend school while giving up much during that time due to WWII. Being an avid reader and mathematician, Mary went on to be an administrative assistant for many years for Bartlett ISD in Bartlett, TX.

After high school graduation, Mary went to work for Limestone County at the courthouse in Groesbeck, TX. She met and married Thomas Houston McBay who also was a native of Limestone County. They married on Dec 3, 1949. Thomas had returned from serving in the Army during WWII and was a graduate of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville TX. After Thomas was hired by the Department of Agriculture to be a Soil Conservationist, they moved to many communities across Texas but finally made their home in Bartlett, TX, where they lived and raised their three children until both retired.

Mary was a dedicated and loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who lived her life as an example of unconditional love. She was a loving and caring friend to many. As a life-long member of the Church of Christ, Mary was an ardent student of the Bible and lived her life as a “good and faithful” servant to God and His teachings with unwavering faith.

Mary is survived by her twin sister, Martha Jane Nance Angle of Thornton, TX, along with her three children, daughter Susan Lane (McBay) Fauss (husband Geral) of Montgomery, TX; son Cody Hugh McBay and daughter Nance Jane McBay of Holland TX.

She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Deryl Wayne Fauss (wife Heather) of Montgomery, TX; Cassandra Lane Fauss of San Antonio, TX; Jessalyn Rafay Adcock (husband Koby) of Bartlett, TX; Marah Rafay Kirkland (husband Zack) of Corpus Christi, TX; Sandra McBay Tolliver of Temple, TX; Charity McBay (partner, Conner McDonald) of Temple, TX; and Rachel McBay (partner, Austin McNeil) of Rogers, TX. Mary was also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren. She is survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three sisters, Janice Richardson, Sarah Allen and Geneva Denman; and brother, Granval Nance.

Mary will be laid to rest at the King Cemetery in Thornton, TX on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, with a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in honor of Mary McBay to King Cemetery, % Tina Cruz, 224 Willow Branch Rd, McGregor, TX 76657; or Church of Christ at Old Union Community, 3451 LCR 750 , Thornton TX 76687.