Extracted from The Brownwood Bulletin (Brownwood, TX) Sunday, February 4, 2007

Mary Lucille Rasberry

SWEETWATER -- Mary Lucille Rasberry of Sweetwater, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, in Abilene with her family by her side. A private burial was held in Sweetwater, per her wishes, with McCoy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Lucille was born on Nov. 3, 1918, in Post to the late Redden and Erma Busby. She married Raymond Jasper Rasberry on Oct. 31, 1937, in Sweetwater. Mrs. Rasberry was a lifelong resident of Sweetwater where she raised her family and worked as a homemaker and in various service industry positions for many years. She attended services at local churches and most recently was a member of the Normandy Church of Christ. She also enjoyed working with the Extension Homemaker's Club of Nolan County for many years. Her favorite pastimes included cooking, sewing, gardening, tending her chickens and storytelling over a cup of coffee.

Family was the most important thing in Lucille's life, spending her years endlessly loving and caring for them. Lucille found the utmost happiness in spending time with her family, celebrating benchmarks in their lives, preparing meals and celebrations, not only for the family, but for the many others she welcomed into her home, sharing stories of days past, giving advice on those to come and offering support in her unselfish and devoted way. Her door was always open to family and friends, as well as the many others she touched along the way. Lucille found fulfillment and satisfaction by providing service to others in the community, including time spent at People For Progress, caring for the sick or elderly, or lending a helping hand to anyone in need.

Lucille's presence in this world and her unconditional love will be greatly missed by all. We will remember Lucille's life and all that made her who she was, all that delighted her, that made her laugh or moved her to tears, calling to mind her story and the many lives she touched along the way. We honor her outlook, inner strength, the things that she believed, in recognizing her goodness, her uniqueness, her own special gifts shared generously with her family and friends. All who loved her feel enriched for having known her, and so grateful for the way she affected us, inspired us, and affirmed for us how a beautiful life should be lived.

Husband, Raymond, and sister, Mrs. Wanda Briggs, preceded Lucille in death. She is survived by three children, Beverly Stone and husband Raymond of Sweetwater; Brannon Rasberry and Mary Lou Luera of El Paso; and Bradley Rasberry and wife Canda of Brownwood; 11 grandchildren, Kelton Graham and wife Karen of Wellington, Fla., Creig Graham of Houston, Callie and Maeme Rasberry of Hailey, Idaho, Justiss Rasberry and wife Clarissa of El Paso, Lia Rasberry of Denver, Colo., Cerra Flores and husband Darnell and children Seles and Reagan Rasberry, all of El Paso, Tyneil McFaddin and husband F. A. Northcott of Beaumont, Cody Rasberry of Brownwood; five great-grandchildren, Auston Graham, Kendal Graham, Sidra Flores, Amber Robertson and Lynn McClung; sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Barnett of Sweetwater, Mrs. Wilda Jones of Irving; brother, Mr. Brannon Busby of Slaton; and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the caregivers and staff of Hendrick Hospice Care unit in Abilene, Texas, for their help and kindness.

Those wishing to send a memorial on her behalf may contribute to The Mary Lucille Rasberry Nolan 4-H Council Scholarship Fund, Attn: Peggy Elliott, 100 E. 3rd St, Suite 304, Sweetwater TX 79556.