Mary Kirkland Karrer

Funeral services for Mary Kirkland Karrer, age 103 of Centerville, were held on Saturday at 10:00 A.M. at the Cowboy Church of Leon County. Pastor Tuffy Loftin officiated at the services. Interment followed in the Centerville Cemetery. Funeral services are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home in Centerville.

Mrs. Karrer was born January 7, 1907 in Darby, Pennsylvania to James and Martha (McDonald) Madgett. She was raised in Pennsylvania. After completing her schooling in Pennsylvania, she moved to Newark, New Jersey. She met her husband, Percy Karrer, while working at a bank in Bellville, New Jersey and they married on November 5, 1932. They later moved to Houston, Texas where they lived for many years. Mrs. Karrer worked for the Springbranch ISD as the cafeteria manager. After retirement, they moved to Centerville where she lived for the past thirty five years.

Both of the Karrers were very active in the churches where they were members. When they moved to Centerville, they brought their membership to First Baptist Church in Centerville. They then were among a group of people from that church who began a mission church in Leona, Texas. These people were the Charter Members of the Leona Baptist Church. She attended church there for many years and participated in the many activities of the church, including teaching Sunday School. Recently, she became a member of the Cowboy Church of Leon County.

For many years, she and her husband traveled with the Baptist Men and their wives, helping build Baptist churches all across the state of Texas. Mrs. Karrer died Wednesday morning, August 4, 2010 in Crockett. She was preceded in death by her husband Percy, who died December 25, 1995; a son, John George Karrer, Sr.; daughterin law, Judy Karrer; brothers John, Bill and Art Madgett; a sister, Emily Graff and a great grandson, Russell William Chase.

Survivors include:

Son: David Karrer and wife Mary of Centerville

Daughter: Rev. Edythe Steele and husband Terry of Pearl City, Hawaii

Grandchildren: John Karrer and wife Janelle, Jeannie Chase, Jennifer Scamardo and husband James, Nell Kendall and husband Brett, Leslie Scott and husband Eric, Andrew Fullerton, and wife Kirsten, David Fullerton, Emily Fullerton and Alex Fullerton.

12 Great Grandchildren

Pallbearers were John G. Karrer, John Karrer, Brett Kendall, James Scarmardo, Eric Scott, David Fullerton, Daniel Kendall and Stephen Kendall.

Honorary Pallbearers were George Mueller, Bill Graff, Connor Scott, Alex Fullerton, Andy Fullerton and Matthew Chase.