Mary Hailey Brian

Mary Hailey Brian, 80, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2010. Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at First Baptist Church in Dumas with Rev. Jerry Howe, pastor of the church officiating. Burial will follow in Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Morrison Funeral Directors. Mary was born on December 17, 1929 in Stevens County, Texas to Thomas and Loyce Hailey. She received a Bachelors Degree in Education from North Texas State University in 1949 and a Library Science degree in 1950. She continued her education at the University of Texas the next three years. On December 26, 1953, she married J. W. Brian in Vernon, Texas. He preceded her in death in 1983. Mary was a librarian for Dumas High School from 194953 and was a member of the Texas State Library Assn. from 195053, serving as District Secretary in 1971. Other organizations she participated in included: the Texas Classroom Teachers Assn., FFA, Moore County History Society, Moore County 4H Club, Leaders Club, Phoenix Club of WTSU, and the Moore County Library Board. Mary coordinated the growing up corner in the library which is a collection of materials on adolescent problems and career planning for individual study in 1975. She also established a local history collection of materials which includes taped interviews made by students with old timers in the county. Mary was named to the Outstanding Leaders in Elementary and Secondary Education in 1976, she was a member of Legion of Honor, NRA Whos Who in American Professional Women, and an active member of Eastern Star for over twenty years. She was named the County Home Demonstration Clubs Woman of the Year in 1967 and received the the Texas State Library Associations project of the year award in 1970. After her husbands death in 1983, she continued her education, taking courses in AgriBusiness at WTSU in order to better understand the farming industry. She succeeded beyond anyones expectations, while continuing her career. She loved gardening, sewing, costuming the Dumas High School musicals, opera, Moore County history, and most of all, she adored her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She will be profoundly missed by everyone whose life she touched her family, colleagues, friends and former students. She was an extraordinary woman. Survivors include: son, Tommy Brian and his wife Tammy of Channing daughters, Crystal Brian of Hamden, CT and Rosemary Knight of St. Croix, USVI brothers, Tommy Hailey of Ivan, TX and Clyde Hailey and wife Pat of Irving, TX sisterinlaws, Dorothy Hailey of Stephenville, TX and Fern Nowlin of Vernon, TX Grandson, Jeramy Brian of Baton Rouge, LA granddaughters, Christy Brian of Amarillo and Amy Rose Van Ness of Hamden, CT greatgrandsons Tyler and Luke Palmer of Amarillo and Jack Brian of Baton Rouge, LA. The family suggests memorials be to the Alzheimers Association, 2200 W 7th St, Amarillo, TX 79106 or to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, P. O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 752650309. The family will be at 5276 FM 722 in Channing.