Mary Lou Harvick

Mary Lou Rankin Harvick, born 07/30/1929 (95) in Throckmorton, Texas. She passed away peacefully on 06/25/2025 in Wichita Falls, Texas with family by her side.

Mary Lou was born to Jack A. Rankin and Lula Powell Whitby Rankin. She was the fourth child to be born of nine children. Mary Lou cherished her growing-up years in Throckmorton and relayed many memories of her childhood, most memories surrounded by music - gathering around the piano with her siblings while her mother played, all singing along and performing and filling their home with love and laughter. She was drum major and majorette in the Throckmorton high school band and sang in the high school quintet. She learned how to "cowboy" and waltz and play piano at an early age.

Mary Lou graduated from Throckmorton High School in 1947. During her high school years, her brothers were drafted. This was a trying time for the family. They would pray often and listen to the radio hoping for the news that they would come home safe. Their prayers were answered. Jack, George, and Guy came home safely.

In 1945, a handsome man by the name of H.B. Harvick returned to Throckmorton after serving 5 1/2 years in the army. It wasn't until 1946 that her brother, George, introduced Mary Lou to H.B. at a rodeo in Seymour, Texas.  We would like to believe it was love at first sight, but Memaw always said that she told him he had to get rid of his motorcycle and change his wild ways if he was going to court her. Obviously, he did, because they married on 02/06/1948 in Snyder, Texas and remained married their entire lives.

H.B. and Mary Lou had two children.  George Ray Harvick in 1948 and five years later they welcomed a daughter, Brenda Carol.  The arrival of her children would shape Mary Lou for her biggest passion, her family. Mary Lou grew up Presbyterian, H.B. a Baptist so they settled on the Methodist Church. She embraced all the traits her mother had instilled in her and brought up her children to know and love Jesus, teaching them wholesome values and preparing them for the future. When George and Brenda started families of their own. Mary Lou totally embraced being a grandmother.  Her first grandchild, Brian, arrived in 1973 and she welcomed her new role as Memaw, A.K.A. Edna. She was a natural. H.B. and Mary Lou did not have to wait long for more grandchildren, Holly arrived in 1974, followed by Ashley in 1977, George II in 1978, Matthew in 1983 and Leesa in 1985. She was blessed to also become a proud Memaw to nineteen great- grandchildren. Mary Lou had a hand in most of their raising and was very proud to watch them grow into adults with the same values she instilled in their parents.

H.B. and Mary Lou bought a country home to accommodate their growing family. The Banana Farm (how it got this name, nobody knows), was always full and busy with not just her children and grandchildren but also her father, Jack, her siblings, nephews, nieces, in-laws, as well as friends or neighbors who had something to barter for the vegetables she grew in her garden.  Everyone who entered was offered a meal, fishing, hunting, swimming in the cement pond or the latest news from town.  She hosted many Rankin reunions as well as the crews that would ride by horse and wagon to the Fort Griffin Fandangle every year. H.B. and Mary Lou were extremely proud of the life they had built and that they were able to share it with so many.

Mary Lou performed in the Fandangle for years alongside her children and grandchildren. She loved her community. For many years she owned a beauty shop and probably cut most of the hair in Throckmorton and neighboring counties over the years.  Her beauty shop was the place to go for fellowship and the town gossip. She took on the task of Historian for Throckmorton County which included writing and collecting family history and stories from each family. She attended the First Methodist Church.  Before attending First Methodist Church, Mary Lou served as elder at First Presbyterian until it closed its doors.  She played the piano at church services, volunteered for community services when needed, spent many hours helping out at the school, attended sporting events and livestock shows, even volunteered to chaperone a senior trip to Mexico. She also loved to travel and see family and places beyond Throckmorton County. No one could come close to making a peach cobbler or a pot of beans like hers. She always had something on the stove or in the oven and shared with anyone who darkened her door.  Her grandchildren share a funny story that although Memaw was the best cook in Throckmorton County, it was wise to always check the dates on her condiments because she never threw anything away. Mary Lou enjoyed word search puzzles, crosswords, and playing hymns on the piano. She attended bible studies frequently and if you were staying at the Banana Farm during one of her study weeks, it was expected that you participated in the bible studies too. She always had an array of livestock and animals at the farm and she would tend to most of them herself. She had a gift with animals and would have them eating out of her hand in no time.  All of her grandchildren fondly remember her pet squirrel named Bill that she called up to the window and fed at dusk for a few years.  Mary Lou was an avid Bridge player and played often with a group of ladies in town. She taught her grandkids how to play Chicken Foot and Rankin Rummy where she became known as the "Game Blocker", always trying to "pull a fast one". Her grandchildren say the laughter that came from those games will never be forgotten.

Mary Lou was compassionate, caring, selfless and one of a kind.  She shared her life and love willingly and left a lasting impression on everyone she met. The greatest legacy one can pass on to their children and grandchildren is a legacy of character and faith. Mary Lou certainly did that.

Mary Lou is survived by her son, George Ray (Prissy) Harvick and daughter, Brenda Carol Williams. She is also survived by her brother, Larry Rankin and her sister, Marjory (Bobby) Brown. She left behind six grandchildren:  Brian Harvick, Holly (Jason) Cauble, Ashley (Ben) Agee, George Harvick II, Matthew (Hollie) Williams Leesa (Stephen) Williams. She left behind 19 grandchildren: Hope, Heath, Halle, Tyler, Clayton, Grace, Mary Margaret, Charlie, George Henry, Annie, Emmett, Lottie, Pippi, Luke, Mack, Rosalyn, Beck, Clark, and Millie.

She was proceeded in death by husband, H.B. Harvick; Father and Mother, Jack A. Rankin and Lula Powell Whitby Rankin; Brothers: Jack (Ruth) Rankin, George (Gloria) Rankin, Guy (Joyce) Rankin, Robert (Betty) Rankin; Sisters: Peggy (Jim) Odom, Linda Powell (Glen) Key.

Viewing will be held at Smith Family Funeral Home Wednesday 06/25/2025 6:00pm-7:00pm, 107 N Austin Ave., Throckmorton, Texas 76483.

Services will be held at Throckmorton Methodist Church, Thursday 06/26/2025 2:00pm, 220 N Reynolds Avenue, Throckmorton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Throckmorton Methodist Church.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.