Mary Lee Ates

Sis. Mary Lee Hicks Ates was born on April 17,1940 to the Parentage of the late Robert and Mattie Bell Kelly Hicks in Smith County, Texas. Mary was the Second child.

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Mattie Bell Kelly Hicks; Grandparents, George and Mary Pearson Kelly, Riley and Lizzie Elder Hicks; Bonus Father and Bonus Mother AW Calico and Armie Dean Wilcoxen Calico. She attended Dunbar Elementary School and Jackson High School in the Chapel Hill Independent School District. Mary graduated with the Class of 1958 and attended Texas College for Secretary. At an early age Mary professed Christ as her Lord and Savior where she became a member of County Line Church of the Living God Pillar Ground Truth under the leadership of the late Elder B.G. Hillburn. Mary was a life time and very active member. She served as Sunday School Secretary, Sunday School Treasurer, Jr. Choir President Secretary, Senior Choir President, Mission President and Vice President, Program Committee, Pastor Aide, Member of Senior Choir, and Secretary of Church.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Darrel Ates Sr., Son Alvin Dean Ates, Brother Supt. Riley H. Hicks, Brother-in-law JC Tipps, and Bonus Bro James Calico.

She leaves to cherish her memory four Loving Children, One Daughter Jannice Murphy (David) Kilgore, Texas; Three Sons, Fredrick Ates Tyler, Texas, Sedrick Ates Colorado, Darrel Ates Jr. Tyler, Texas; Two Sisters Georgia Mae Tipps, Kilgore, Texas and Viola Lee Mosley (Albert) Winona, Texas; Special Sister- in-law that was Dear to her heart Eva Mae Hicks, Kilgore, Texas; Bonus Sisters, Mary L. Jones Longview, Texas, Alice L. Thibodeaux (Jerald) Garland, Texas, Sherrion AFuller (Raymond) Dallas, Texas, Rosemary Hopson (Herman) Dayton, Texas, Armie Lajoyce Davis (Keri) Longview, Texas; Bonus Sister-in-law Sandy Calico; Bonus Brothers of Kilgore William Calico, Robert Calico, Allen W. Calico Longview, Texas; Special GrandChildren LaCrystal Hewitt (Kenneth) LaQuita Stewart (Joey) Brittany Saroeun (Rocky), Amanda Miller (Zavean), Adrian Lacy, Emmanuel (Brianna) Tristan Todd, Keante Green, Lil Fredrick Ates, Adrianna Ates, Chasity Ates, Breanna Brittain; Fifteen Great Grandchildren; Bonus Grandaughters Katherine Murphy and Odysee Williams; Bonus Grandson Fernandes Brooks; God Son Elder Raymond Cross Jr. (Donna); God Daughters Mildred Brittain, Thelma Giddings (Jimmy) and Nickie Moore; Special Nephews Elder Robert E Hicks (Frances) LaMarcus Tipps and Chris Mosley; Special Niece Tamisha Hensley (Will) Special Great Nieces, Robin Thomas (DQ) Tre'Shala Hicks, Lashaun Tipps, lil Georgia Tipps and Morgan Coyle; Two Great Nephews JaMarcus Coyle and Trenton Hensley; Special Cousins, Jessie Duncan, Robert James Roberson, Elder James Elder, Porsha Daniels-Kitchen, Sylvia Gatlin, Ruby Frank, Willie Ingram, Debra Jones, and Ada Knox; Special Friends, Emma Rupert, Vida Mae; Special Nurse Shemeca Scott.