Mary grew up in Rock Prairie, Texas, and graduated from College Station Consolidated High School. She spent more than 20 years in Lake Jackson before returning to College Station in 1984. In 2013, she moved to Columbus, Texas, where she resided until her passing.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Blanche Bond; her brothers, Ross Bond and Jimmy Bond; her husbands, Robert Carroll and Jim Carll; and her grandsons, Scott Vardeman and Brian Obermeier.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol Cooner Vardeman (Terry) and Cathy Cooner Obermeier (Jim); her grandchildren, Sarah Obermeier McCulloch (Chris), Amanda Vardeman Landry (Derek), Ross Obermeier, and Mark Vardeman (Brenda); and her great-grandchildren, Sloan Landry, Sage Landry, Audrey McCulloch, and Weston McCulloch. She is also survived by her sister, Lillian Ruth Dann; sistersin law Mary Beth Bond and Mary Bond; numerous nieces and nephews; beloved stepchildren; and countless others whom she unofficially adopted and loved as her own.

A devoted Christian, Mary was actively involved in her church family throughout her life and was most recently a member of First Baptist Church of Columbus. Her faith guided every aspect of her life and was reflected in her servant’s heart.

Throughout her professional life, Mary dedicated herself to education and the service of others. She worked as a secretary at Lake Jackson Intermediate School before joining Texas A&M University, where she served as an assistant in the College of Education until her retirement.

Mary found joy in life’s simple blessings. She loved gardening, volunteering at the Columbus Clothes Closet, cheering on Texas A&M athletics, and, above all, spending time with her family. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, where the sweet tea was always ready; a meal was never far away, and the light was always on for anyone who needed a place to belong.

A Celebration of Life honoring Mary will be Friday, June 26 at 1:30 p.m. at Dignity Memorial Funeral Chapel, 2901 Texas Avenue South, College Station, Texas 77845. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to St. Anthony Catholic School, Paving the Way Fund,635 Bonham Street, Columbus, Texas 78934 or St. Jude Organization, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.