Mary Lou Parsons

Mary Lou Parsons (Boo Boo) was born July 17, 1932 in her grandparents home in Ryan, Oklahoma. She passed away September 28, 2013 in Waurika, Oklahoma. She graduated from Ryan High School in 1950 and went to work for the soil conservation office and later at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Waurika.

She married Bob Parsons of Nocona Texas in 1956. They lived most of the lives in Odessa, Texas where they owned and operated Parsons Inspection Company. They had two sons Bobby Edward and Bruce (Bart) Bartling. They enjoyed being with family and friends in Odessa and taking frequent trips to their second home in Ruidosa, New Mexico. She attended the First Christian Church in Odessa. Mary Lou was an excellent cook. She enjoyed baking and cooking for her family and friends especially during the holidays. For a while, she owned and operated a bake shop (Three Bears and Me) in Ruidosa.

She was an avid Dallas Cowboy football fan. In her later years she had the famous cowboy star tattooed on her upper arm after one of her make a wish recipient's received his wish of attending a Dallas Cowboy game and being allowed to receive a Dallas Cowboy tattoo. His dad said only if Mary would do it as well, so off they went. She would do anything to put a smile on his face. She was involved in the Make a Wish organization for the West Texas area and was appointed to the Texas War on Drug Commission by then Governor Bill Clements. She was a long time member of TOPS.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bruce and Ella Burch Burnett, her husband Bob, sons Bobby and Bart, and sister Margaret Ann Ryan.

She is survived by her sister Lolly Burnett Stewart and her husband Jim, her brother Bruce Burnett and her wife Patsy, Granddaughters - Josie Parsons of Las Cruses, New Mexico and Cheryle Dee Gerthe and her husband Erica of Ruiodosa, New Mexico, and great grandson Ethan Gerthe of Ruidosa, best friends Quinton and Pat Kelley and their families, Jimmy Nell of Odessa, Texas and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was a great, fun, loving lady to be around and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her services will be held October 11, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Ryan where she, her parents, and family were and are still long time members.

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