Mary Wright Gilliland

Mary Wright Gilliland, 85, died Thursday, October 31, 2013 in Amarillo. Services will be at 11:00 AM Monday, November 4, 2013, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Rev. Aaron Giesler, her grandson and assistant pastor of Grace Church of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Rev. Mark Aderholt, her step grandson of Little Rock, Arkansas, officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mary was born July 27, 1928 in Wheeler to Leonard and Zelma Reid and was a graduate of Wheeler High School. She received a B.A. degree in education from West Texas State Teachers College in Canyon. She married Billy Ray Wright in 1950 in Clovis, New Mexico. She later married Cody Gilliland on October 20, 1972 in Clovis, New Mexico. Cody preceded her in death on August 5, 1989. Mary taught high school English and Spanish for 27 years in Gruver and Pampa. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Ruby Francis, a grandson, Chris King, and a great-grandson, Aiden Marshall. Survivors include two daughters, Anne Gomez and husband Al of Amarillo, and Sue Giesler and husband Mike of Fritch, two stepdaughters, Nita Aderholt and husband Pat of Pampa, and Nancy Rice and husband Emmett of Amarillo, two sisters, Gena Zybach and husband Bob of Briscoe, and Sally Dillman of Carrollton, eleven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066-0621.