Mary Lea (Y'Barbo) White “Tommye Lee" was born in Nacogdoches on September 4, 1930. After graduating high school, she attended Stephen F. Austin State University for one year —the amount her parents could afford at the time—at a cost of $300 per year. Throughout her life, she continued to learn and grow, earning diplomas in both real estate and word processing.
Mary Lea married Royal, and they welcomed Royal Jr “Joey – Jojo” and Rolayne “Cissie”. She later married Bob in 1963, and shortly after they welcomed their son, Bobby. Together with their children they built a life rooted in hard work and community.
Mary Lea worked in a variety of roles over the years, including at a flower shop and a radio station.
She also owned the Knick Knack Shack in East Bernard and found great happiness in sharing her love of treasures with the community. She and Bob owned and operated a trucking business for 15 years. They built a home in Beasley, where Mary Lea joyfully served her church and community in many ways.
She loved hosting garage sales and visiting them, always finding the diamond in the rough, and enjoying the people she met along the way. She was very creative and crafty, and she prided herself on her handwriting, where she displayed beautiful writing in many of her thoughtful cards for every Birthday, funeral, special occasion, or thank you.
Mary Lea and Bob loved traveling the world together. She lovingly documented their adventures through photos and handwritten journals, capturing memories that her family will cherish forever.
After many busy years, Mary Lea and Bob moved to Livingston to retire and enjoy a smaller home and a slower, peaceful lifestyle. Even in retirement, she remained active going to garage sales, and of course still having them. She stayed busy and faithfully participated in church and community projects, including work at the local park.
Following Bob’s passing, Mary Lea moved to Center, Texas, where she lived at Lakeside Assisted Living. She often said how much she loved “our little town,” but she loved the caring staff at Lakeside even more. Their kindness and companionship brought her comfort and joy in her final days.
Mary Lea never met a stranger—she had a gift for conversation and welcomed everyone with warmth. She was her family’s steady source of love, strength, and loyalty, but most of all, she gave them humor. Her laughter, kindness, and spirited personality enriched the lives of all who knew her.
Mary Lea will be remembered for her creativity, her dedication to her community, her love of learning and adventure, and the joy she found in every person she met.
Her favorite saying in the last several months was “God is good” and He has shown that in her life as well as her passing.
Visitation for Mary will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 11:00- 12:00 Noon, at Pace Funeral Home, in Livingston, Texas.
A Celebration of Life is to begin at 2:00pm, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in, Nacogdoches, Texas.
Interment is to follow at Moral Cemetery in Nacogdoches, Texas. |
