Mabel "Marie" Stringer, 100, a long-time resident of Hereford, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 3rd, 2021, in Dimmitt, Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Hereford, Texas with Pastor Kyle Streun officiating. Marie's Celebration of Life Service will be live-streamed and available to watch here: MM Facebook URL, and the service will be recorded for future viewing.

Burial will take place at the Delhi cemetery in Delhi, Oklahoma. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. Visitation will be Friday, July 16, 2021, from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Marie, daughter of George and Ethyl Stephens, was born on January 17, 1921, on the family farm near Erick, Oklahoma. She received her elementary through high school education in a one-room schoolhouse in nearby Hext, where she attended many days by traveling on horseback. Marie received a BA in Education from Panhandle State College, Goodwell, Oklahoma, in 1967, graduating magna cum laude, salutatorian of her class.

Marie moved to Hereford, TX in 1968, where she taught second grade in the same classroom at Hereford's Aikman Elementary for the next 20 years. Marie's caring devotion to her students, enthusiasm, and high standard of teaching resulted in her being awarded Teacher of the Year during her tenure. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma society of leading women educators.

A devout Christian and member of Hereford's First Baptist Church, Marie touched many lives through her compassionate spirit, dedication, and humble service. As a Sunday school teacher, she shared her passion for studying the bible, going deeper into scripture, and sharing her unrelenting faith with others. Marie loved children and took her position as the nursery supervisor very seriously. She held that position for many years and was beloved by the children she nurtured and watched over, as well as their parents. She had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir, was a member of the prayer team, and her church service comprised working on several committees over the years. Marie loved all who crossed her path, yet the decades-long close bonds that she shared with so many "special" church friends enriched her life and her family's. The years working side by side with these devoted friends on church activities and the hours spent in prayer with them meant the world to her.

Marie loved to sew and was an avid and accomplished seamstress and quilter, making clothes for her children and grandchildren, pillows and baby blankets for friends and family.

She was a vibrant member of the King's Manor Retirement community for over 13 years, where she cultivated many loving friendships with both residents and staff. There, she met one of her most special life-long friends, Katherine Smith, who has been a source of joy and a steadfast rock of strength to Marie and family. Marie loved her Kings Manor home and her years there were filled with rich memories. She moved to Country View Living in Dimmitt, TX in March of 2020, where she received excellent quality care from compassionate staff.

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother Ronald Stephens and his wife, Anne, daughter Kay Watson and her husband, Skip, daughter Susan Heinrichs, daughter Carol Robinson, son Hank Stringer and his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter Stephanie Lain. Marie is survived by eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marie follows her parents, her brothers Gordon Stephens, Thomas Jefferson Stephens, and sisters Clovis Seago, Merle Mills and Fredda Hardin.

Marie Stringer, beloved mother, teacher to many and friend to all whose lives she touched, was known for her gentle soul, kind heart, and prudent council. She was not one to judge, always seeking the good in everyone she met. Marie was wise. She read the Bible daily and looked to her 'good book' for knowledge and direction.

Marie's children would like to express gratitude to the staff at Samaritan Hospice of Hereford, to all the angels that worked at King's Manor and Westgate who loved and cared for Marie, and the Country View Living staff in Dimmitt, for their exceptional care and support to Marie and her family. And a special, heartfelt thanks to the entire First Baptist Church family and the Hereford community at large for loving and caring for our dear mother.

In remembrance of Marie's life, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church: 500 Main Street, Hereford, Texas 79045 and/or Samaritan Hospice: 400 Ranger St., Hereford TX 79045.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com