Mary Nell Thames

Mary Nell Millican Thames died in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, February 12, 2012 after a long and fulfilling life of tremendous courage, having seen no barrier as insurmountable. She was born on March 20, 1936 in a ranch house at Nix Community, Lampasas County, Texas to Thelma and VP Millican. After an automobile accident rendered her paraplegic at age 13, she demonstrated the perseverance and fortitude of a central Texas rancher and extracted every ounce of meaning from a long and complete life. She graduated as a proud Fighting Armadillo from San Saba High School, attended Angelo State University and subsequently received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She led by example as one who could not be constrained by the confines of a wheelchair and worked diligently her entire life as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, court reporter for Hickman Reporting in Austin, secretary at Radian Corporation in Austin, and a pillar in her Northeast Austin community. She is preceded in death by her husband of 26 years, Clendon H. (Dusty) Thames, and her father Vernon Poly Millican. She is survived by her mother, Thelma McCrea Millican of San Saba, her sister Sylvia Ann McGregor and husband Forrest McGregor of San Saba, her son Chaplain David Blake Thames currently serving on active duty in the US Navy, and wife Elizabeth Frank Thames, her son Dr. Todd Andrew Thames and his wife Dr. Deborah Cardell, granddaughters Emma Claire Thames and Sophia Grace Thames of San Antonio, granddaughter Sarah Thames Carlisle and husband Grady Carlisle and great-grandchild, Isabella Blake Carlisle, of Lubbock. The many lives Mary Nell touched are too numerous to count, but the legacy of her of untamable spirit will live on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and in the many friends and neighbors that enjoyed her company. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Fathers house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And, if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And know the way to the place I am going” (John 14:1-4). We all know Mary Nell is in that place and she is dancing her way around!

A remembrance service will be held at Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs in Boerne, Texas on Friday, February 17 at 3:00pm and a memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 204 West Brown St., San Saba, Texas on Saturday, February 18th at 1:00pm with refreshments and family visitation following. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to either of the following: CHRISTUS Sister Mary Hospice Center, 5131 Medical Drive, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78229 or to The Joni Erickson Tada Foundation: “Joni and Friends”, 1370 Pantheon Way, Suite 165, San Antonio, Texas 78232 (http://www.joniandfriends.org/san-antonio/).