Mary Jean Cason

Mary left this world to be with her Lord and Savior March 30, 2020 at the age of 92.  She was born Mary Jean Rice on September 13, 1927 in Joplin, Missouri to Cecil Edward and Eugenia Mae Rice.  She was the second of 7 children and became responsible at an early age in helping the family during this hard time in America.  Mary loved school and attended it in the Mansfield area. She was very involved in many school activities from drama to sports.  She was raised to attend church and learn her scriptures regularly. 

At the age of 16 the family moved to Exeter, California where she worked in her father’s grocery store while attending high school.  She loved travelling with her children, reading, playing dominoes, checkers, card games, singing and spending time with her friends.  Most of all she loved serving the Lord, spending many years as Woman’s Ministry leader and song leader of her church. Her faith and witnessing led many to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

At age 18, Mary met Paul Richard Cason when he came into the family’s grocery store on pretense of buying cheese and crackers. In truth it was to see the beautiful woman his brother had told him about. He was decked out in his military uniform, handsome and dashing. His flashy personality quickly swept her off her feet, they were married three months later, March 12, 1946 in Yuma, Arizona, on a trip to visit Paul’s family in Mineral Wells, Texas.  The military life resulted in many moves but they settled in Mineral Wells and raised their family.  Mary lost her husband Paul, after 55 years of marriage on May 19, 2001.

Upon becoming a widow Mary continued to remain active in church, worked part time for a dear friend in an office supply store and became a township celebrity for her delicious peanut brittle that was sold in area stores under the label Grandma Jean’s Peanut Brittle.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, parents, children Paul Richard Jr and Paul Daniel Cason, siblings Paul Edward, Nancy Louise and Ruby Evelyn Rice.

She is survived by her brother Hiram David Rice; sisters Lois Mae Rice and Sue Janet Baker; children Paula Diane Fina and husband Ted (deceased), Jeannie Susan Price and husband Ray, Timothy David Cason and wife Kathy,  all of Palo Pinto TX, Catherine Cecile Cason and husband John Paul Baugh of Bonham TX, Paul Alfred Cason and wife Elva of Anna TX and Jennifer Lynne Coy and husband Matthew of Mooresville NC; and “heartfelt” daughter Debbie Cason Ahlefeld; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren with the 6^th expected in April; numerous nieces and nephews.  The number of loving souls produced from the union of Mary and Paul are presently at 56, she ferociously loved and was proud of each and every one. 

At her wishes, graveside services were held April 4^th, 2020 at Hittson cemetery.