Mary Jim Currie

Mary Jim Patton Currie, 94, of Paint Rock, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at the home of her daughter, Carolyn Slaughter.

A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church, Paint Rock, on Friday, December 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be her son, Dr. David R. Currie, her nephew, Dr. Charles C. McLaughlin. Arrangements are under the direction of Lange Funeral Home of Ballinger. Burial will follow in the Paint Rock Cemetery next to her husband and parents and many other family members. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on, Thursday, December 22, 2011 at the funeral home.


Mary Jim was born March 27, 1917 in her family home to James Manse and Ruth Crouch Patton. She graduated from Paint Rock High School in 1934, attended Hardin Simmons College for one year, and married Joe Roy Currie of Paint Rock on October 15, 1935. They were married for 53 years, spending all but two of those years in Paint Rock, until he preceded her in death June 6, 1989.


She was definitely a one-of-a-kind personality...full of life, love, passion and opinion. She lived alone in Paint Rock until she was 91, and then had three wonderful years at Baptist Retirement Home in San Angelo. Her last few months were spent with her daughter and son-in-law in Ballinger.


Mary Jim was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Jewette Patton McLaughlin. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn and husband Danny Slaughter of Ballinger, son David Currie and wife Loretta of San Angelo, four grandchildren: Kimberly Drechsler and husband Steve of Coppell, Craig Slaughter and wife Kim of Sweetwater, Lance Currie and wife Rebecca of Dallas, and Chad Patton Currie of Fort Worth and his fiance' Jess Harrison. Also surviving are the joys of her life in her later years, her five great-grandchildren: Jack, Luke and Molly Drechsler of Coppell, Lexi Slaughter of Sweetwater, and Ashleigh Currie of Dallas.


Mary Jim is also survived by her step-grandchildren, Chuck Lipsey and wife Kelly of Bangs, Candi Rasberry and husband Kurt of San Angelo, and Scott Lipsey and wife Shanna of San Angelo and seven additional great grandchildren, Chelsy and Charly Lipsey, Brian, Brett and Brent Rasberry, and Payton and Luke Lipsey.


Numerous nieces and nephews and a whole host of loving and caring friends as well as Baptist friends she made all over America also survive.


Mary Jim invested her life in First Baptist Church of Paint Rock, as well as Baptist work and missions. She taught Sunday School over 60 years, and was very active statewide in the Woman's Missionary Union, Sunbeams and GA's. She played the piano for worship until she was 90. One of her most prized possessions is the painting of her church, painted by a church member and presented to her on her 90th birthday as a gift from the church. She loved and supported her son's work with Texas Baptists Committed, the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. She was especially proud NOT to be a fundamentalist and shared this conviction openly. She sincerely loved the time she spent with young women who sought her out for guidance and friendship. On her 85th birthday, many people expressed to her their appreciation for her encouragement and love shown them as they moved in to Paint Rock or as their Sunday School teacher.


She was instrumental in getting the Harry Crozier Library open in Paint Rock, and served as it's librarian for many years. She was also a member of the Paint Rock Study Club, and served in various ways in other school and community roles. She loved the semi-annual Paint Rock Reunions, where for many years she was the oldest member in attendance.


She was an incredible wife and mother, believing in her children and encouraging them to succeed and dream. She truly practiced unconditional love in family relationships, but was always willing to share a blunt corrective word.


She loved her endearing friendship with Mazie Fowler of Paint Rock, as well as June Dankworth, and her "Bank Girls." She considered Dean McIntyre her "adopted son" and sincerely loved his visits and calls. She quickly accepted Baptist Retirement Home as her home and enjoyed the friends she made there. She was especially close to many former pastors and liked to think she helped them mature and grow while they were serving in Paint Rock.


The family would like to thank the wonderful people of Paint Rock who truly helped her live her dream of living independently for so many years. We also thank Ballinger Home Health and Hospice of Ballinger for their loving and tender care, as well as Kathy Fritze and Marta Brock for their undying devotion.


Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Paint Rock, Crozier Library of Paint Rock, Paint Rock Cemetery, First Baptist Church Family Life Center of Ballinger, and Texas Baptist Committed, or a charity of your choice.