MARY LEE LANKFORD Mary Lee Lankford died on March 10, 2013 after a brief but difficult battle with cancer. Born in Longview, Texas, on November 14, 1936, Mary Lee was the only child and pure pride and joy of her happy parents Mary and Lee Bartlett. Mary Lee lived in Longview, almost her entire young life, except for a short period during World War II when she and mother Mary moved and lived in California to be close to father Lee who was stationed there. After the War, Mary Lee moved back to, and grew up in, Longview where she graduated High School in 1954, and later Kilgore Junior College in 1956. Mary Lee met the love of her life Les Lankford on a blind date in 1952. Even though Les was away much of the time during his four year Air Force career, he and Mary Lee stayed in touch, seeing each other as often as they could the entire time. Mary Lee and Les were married in 1957. They had two children Larry, born in 1960, and Stacey, born in 1965. Most people knew Mary Lee through her long membership in, and service to, Casa View Christian Church which she and Les have attended for almost 50 years. She served in many positions and capacities including children's Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher and Coordinator, Adult Class Instructor and multiple offices in Christian Women's Fellowship, in addition to her responsibilities as a Deacon and later as one of the church's first female Elders. Additionally, over the years Mary Lee volunteered with Head Start, staffed election booths during elections, provided tutoring, worked in the Children's Shop (the shop's sale proceeds go to charity), participated in a women's book club, enjoyed a weekly game club, and prayed with a weekly prayer group. Mary Lee was very active in her children's lives and activities. She was always one of the most popular Moms on the block. Many of her children's friends referred to and felt that Mary Lee was their "other Mom." And of course she welcomed them all as her surrogate sons and daughters. Mary Lee worked for many years as a substitute teacher in the Garland Independent School District and later as an office manager in the insurance industry Mary Lee was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lee and Mary, and mother-in-law, Inez, in addition to seven wonderful aunts and uncles. She is survived by her devoted husband Les, daughter Stacey, (Lankford) Hensley, son-in-law - but more like her other son in reality- Jim Hensley, her adored grandson William Hensley, age 4, son Larry and her nearly-daughter-in-law - but more like other daughter in reality- Cheryl Dennis, Additionally, she is survived by many cousins as well as many, many friends.