Mary Elizabeth Ainsworth

Mary Elizabeth Speer Ainsworth was born March 19, 1942 to Willie B. (Tootsie) and Ruby Lee Cravey Speer. She was born and raised in the small town of Concord. She married the love of her life, James Edward Ainsworth on August 4, 1961. In Concord, they raised their two children, Jamie Ainsworth Watson and Connie Elizabeth Ainsworth Spence.

Mary attended 1st through 8th grade at Concord and 9th through 11th at Centerville. When the schools consolidated to form Leon School, she chose Leon to be with her sweetheart, James Ainsworth, and to be a part of the first graduating class in 1960 as salutation. While at Centerville, she lettered 3 years in basketball playing for Coach Glenn Price. Mary was an excellent guard, with the scars on her knees and stitches above her eyes to prove it. She continued her athletic career at Leon playing for legendary Coach Billy Bob Evans. After graduation, she travelled to show proofs for A&M Photoshop. Once she and James were married, they moved to College Station and had their first child, Jamie, in 1962. After a short time in Victoria and Concord, they moved to Houston where they welcomed their second daughter, Connie. Mary was a stay at home mom who took good care of her home and family. A friend once joked that he could eat off her floors. In 1971, they relocated back to their home town of Concord. Mary spent the first couple of years working alongside James as a painter. They were affectionately known as Alf and Ralph Painting Company by all of their family. In 1973, Mary began her career as a saleswoman at the Rodeo Western Wear for Jim and Nora Salley. People came from all over to have Mary fit them in a pair of boots, but they always left with more than what they came for thanks to her natural knack for sales. Customers were even known to leave if she wasn’t there to help them with their purchases, and most ladies depended on her to remember their husband’s boot sizes. After 19 years, she decided to retire to become Mim-me full-time. She loved spending time sitting in the floor playing with the grandkids and great grandkids. She loved them all and each one held their own special place in her heart.

Mary was a member of the Marquez Church of Christ. She began attending church at a young age with her Granny Speer. Mary loved going to church and always put God first in her life. When Mary became ill, one of her greatest disappointments was not being able to attend services. Her spirits were lifted when her preacher and fellow church members came to visit.

Mary served as Post Master Relief for her mother, Ruby Speer, until her death in 2003. She was then hired as the Concord Post Master where she exemplified meeting the needs of her customers. She retired in 2016 only to immediately be rehired to help out when needed. Mary worked until March of 2018 when illness would not allow her to continue. In honor of her many years of service to the community of Concord, the flag at the post office flew a little lower than usual.

Mary Elizabeth Speer Ainsworth passed away on June 26, 2018 at home. She is survived by her husband, James Ainsworth, two children: Jamie Watson and husband Mike, and Connie Spence and husband Charlie, grandchildren: Jessica Turner (Kevin), Corby Watson, Clayton Watson (Melissa), Ceanne Spence (Ben), Jimbo Spence (Courtney), and Charlcee Spence, great-grandchildren: Cooper Turner, Cason Turner, Lane Ardoin, Hailey Ardoin, Lane Watson, Braxton Watson, Peyton Waldrop, and Harper Anne Spence. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Tommy Foley, brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Robin Speer, sister-in-law Winnie Jefferson, aunts Opal Cravey, Vonda Cravey, and Imogene Posey. Nieces and nephews include: Carmen Foley, Carla Hanz (Kevin), T.J. Foley (Debra), Steven Foley (Alissa), Shellie Moore, Beverly Jones, Richard Jefferson, Craig Jefferson, Gary Sills, Glenn Sills, Karyn Stephens, Charles Broker, Cheryl Ann Cox, Ellen Glenn, Kenneth Broker, Denice Futrell, and Lynette Welch. She is also survived by special cousins: Pat Wilbanks, Bonnie Tittle, Kay Alpha and a host of other close friends and family. Mary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Willie B. and Ruby Lee Speer, and great-grandson Slayton James Spence.

Mary was always known for a clean house, loving and rocking her grandchildren, and always up for a good game of 42. She could never get enough and always begged for a sugar game. If she wasn’t enjoying a game, she was clearing the living room to teach all of her grandkids to dance. Mary enjoyed spending her days alongside her sweetheart, whether it be to check the cows, build fence, or feed the chickens. She was the most honest person you would have ever met. If she owed you $10.27, she would not give you $10.25 or $10.30, but exactly $10.27 and count out every cent! She would also drive ten miles just to pay you back. She will be missed by her family, friends, and all those who loved her.

Funeral services for Mary will be held at 10 A.M., Friday, June 29, 2018 at the Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas. Interment will follow in the Concord Cemetery in Concord, Texas. The Ainsworth family will receive friends from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M., Thursday, June 28th at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Corby Watson, Clayton Watson, Jimbo Spence, Ben Waldrop, Kevin Turner, Lane Ardoin, T.J. Foley, Jeff Speer

Honorary pallbearers: Lane Watson, Braxton Watson, Cooper Turner, Cason Turner, Peyton Waldrop

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Concord Community Building Roofing Fund, P.O. Box 16, Concord, Texas 77850.

Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas is in charge of arrangements.