Mary Helen Runte

A visitation for Mary Helen Runte, 99, of Edgewood, TX, is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point, followed by a graveside service at 12:00 PM at Small Cemetery in Edgewood.

Mary Helen Lay Runte passed from this life on October 16, 2024, at her home after a brief illness, though she lived a long and beautiful life of 99 years. She was surrounded by her children, Frances and Everett Jr. Mary was born on June 14, 1925, in Edgewood, TX, to parents John Clayton Lay and Florence Eula Atwood Lay. She was raised in the Lane Community, where she attended school until the seventh grade before graduating from Edgewood High School. She began her working career in a local mercantile, starting out in the bakery and eventually becoming a butcher. She later worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone as an operator, owned her own floral business, served as a Mary Kay and Tupperware consultant, operated a bait stand, raised cattle, and ultimately retired to enjoy her passions: gardening, quilting, and fishing.

Mary Helen and Everett Runte married on December 30, 1965. They lived in various locations across Texas before returning to her childhood home in Edgewood in 1989. Mary was a dedicated  member of Cheatham Memorial Methodist Church in Edgewood, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Florence Lay; her husband, Everett Runte Sr.; her son-in-law, Tommy Watt; her daughter, Vivian Walker; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elwin and Leora Runte; sisters-in-law Luella Beltran and Sylvia Everett; and brother-in-law Marvin Runte.

Mary is survived by her daughter Mary Watt of Fort Worth; son Kenneth Richman (Ann) of Mabank; daughter Frances Jarrell (Kevin) and son Everett Runte Jr. of Edgewood, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Runte; numerous nephews and nieces; and a number of friends whom she considered family.

Pallbearers: Gerald Butts, Mason Jarrell, Jacob Cadena, Kevin Jarrell, John Williams and Scott Riddle. Honorary Pallbearers: Kenneth Richman, Everett Runte Jr., Brent Butts, Bryce Butts, Paxton Jarrell, Clayton Jarrell and Lonnie Chadwick.

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