Mary Suzanne Bray Newberry

Mary Suzanne Bray Newberry on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to her eternal rest following a brief hospitalization for cancer. The memory of her sweet spirit and sweet smile remains in the grateful hearts and minds of family, friends and former students whose lives she touched with her joy and kindness.

A resident of Katy, TX the past 45 years, Mary was born February 23, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, MO to her parents Alton Bray and Martha Lou Dorris Bray who have preceded her in death.

Surviving are her husband John Newberry whom she met in college and married June 6, 1970, in Cape Girardeau. Also surviving are son Brian Newberry, daughter Barbara Newberry Smith and husband Jeremy Smith of Katy, TX and grandson Ryland Rivas of New Waverly, TX.

In addition, she is survived by her sister Ellen Bray Busch and brother Dr. Jeffrey Bray both of St. Louis, MO and their families as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law and brothers-in law.

Mary attended the Campus Elementary School and Cape Central High School in Cape Girardeau, MO. She attended and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a certificate to teach Elementary Education.

Having inherited her mother's beautiful singing voice, Mary, while a college student had a principal role in the Mozart opera "Cosi fan Tutte" performed in the university's Rose Theatre. She was also a member of the Trebleaires.

Mary's 43 years as an educator included teaching elementary education in Charleston, MO from 1970-1976, teaching in the Houston area for Alief Independent School District at Alief Elementary School from 1976-77 and teaching in the Katy, TX area for Katy Independent School District from 1978-2004 at the following schools: Cimarron Elementary, Nottingham Elementary and Memorial Parkway Junior High School. After retiring from the Katy School District in 2004, she taught 10 more years at Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, TX, and also served as a substitute teacher. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year for Katy Independent School District while at Nottingham Elementary.

Devoted to church work her entire life, Mary presently was an active member of Tallowood Baptist Church where she assisted with the kindergarten children's choir. Prior to her current church affiliation, Mary was a member of the Joint Heirs at First Baptist Church in Houston, TX and performed in the choir and small ensembles for their renowned Christmas Pageant. Mary also served as a leader for the Bible Study Fellowship Organization.

Mary's special interests besides Bible studies have included activities with the Magnolias (a close group of friends), doting on her kids and grandson, gardening, cheering for the Houston Astros and taking family trips to see the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders football games.

Long a highlight of Mary's life and a special memory of her 40th birthday was the surprise hot air balloon ride her husband had arranged for Mary to take. The balloon picked her up in a field next to the school where she was teaching much to the delight of Mary and her students.

That adventure has been topped now by her recent Heaven-bound journey with Mary smiling more radiantly than ever before! Thanks be to God for her time with us.

Donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Alton Bray Scholarship at SEMO University Foundation, 1 University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or to the charity of your choice. Floral remembrances can be sent to Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Ave, Katy, TX 77493.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022 at the Schmidt Funeral Home, 1508 East Avenue, Katy, Texas 77493. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Road, Houston, Texas 77024. Interment will follow at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Katy Magnolia Cemetery, 6801 Franz Road, Katy, Texas 77493.

The service will be streamed live on https://tallowood.org/watch.