Mary Ann Darby

Mary Ann Darby, 82 passed away peacefully on June 19, 2014 after a long and valiant struggle with COPD. Mary was born on March 1, 1932 in Madisonville, Texas to William L Crouch and Henrietta Golden Crouch. She worked in the family business, Crouch’s on the square in Madisonville while growing up and graduate4d from Madisonville High School. She attended Sam Houston State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and then a master’s degree in education with a specialty in reading and library science. In fact, at that time, there were no certified elementary librarians in Texas and she was in the first Library Science Institute class offered at SHSU. She was a long time Huntsville ISD employee beginning her career at Stewart Elementary in the classroom and then retiring as the librarian for Gibbs Elementary. During her 30 years in education, the last 22 in HISD, she made a huge contribution to the education and welfare of the children of Huntsville, Austin, Bryan, and Aldine schools. After her retirement, she spent many days with her husband, Tobby (family nickname) at their ranch in Leon County, the Little 4, named for the four siblings/spouses who all bought it together. She loved to drive the tractor and mow weeds, helped fix fences and bale hay, work the cow, fish in the lakes, sit on the porch at one of the two camp houses, the Lodge or the White House, and ride around in the evening looking for “deer and critters”. In addition to spending time outdoors on their land, she continued her love of reading daily. She shared that love of reading with her six grandchildren as she often had several at a time. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Charles; her son Charles, Jr. and wife Annie; daughter Debi Reesing and husband Steve; six grandchildren: Sarah D. Clapham and husband Jason, Trey Darby and wife April, John Darby and wife Cydni, Kyle Reesing, Megan Reesing and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Charles, William, Everett, M.J. and Curtis Crouch and sister Estelle Fannin. The family will receive visitors on Monday, June 23, 2014 from 5-8 pm at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home at 1700 Normal Park. Her memorial service will be at 11 am Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at the First Christian Church of Huntsville at 1800 Ave. R. There will be a reception at the church following the service. Interment will be at Zion Cemetery at 2 pm in Iola, Texas. Memorial condolences may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Mary Ann Darby

March 1, 1932 - June 24, 2014