Mary Esther Anderson

Our precious sister, step-mother, step-grandmother and step-great grandmother left her earthly home on December 17, 2017 surrounded by her loving family, and took her place among the angels in Glory. We know Mary is well - playing her bass, violin, or harp, singing in the choir of Heaven, and basking in the light of Jesus.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 42 years, John William Anderson. She is survived by her sister Margaret Jean Lively, sister Rebecca (Becky) Lively Harris, nephew Trey Seiter, grand-niece Victoria Seiter, niece Stephanie Nolan and husband Brad, brother John Paul Lively & wife Carol, nephew David Matthew and wife Spring Lively, grand-nephew Matthew James Lively, grand-niece Alyssa Lively, brother Daniel James Lively, niece Linda Lively, grand-niece Julia Grace Orchid, grand nephews Elijah Orchid and Luke Orchid, nephew Jason Lively, brother Phillip Mark Lively and wife Marilyn, nephews Phillip Lively, Jr. and Chad Lively, sister Deborah Rachael Lively Lambert and husband Michael; Step-children: Sherrie Cousins & husband Ray, Rebecca Rivas, Kathy Kimball & husband Eric; Step-grandchildren: Jeffrey Gibson & wife Meiissa, Christie Cousins & husband David, Jonathan Rivas, Jennifer Rivas, Kimberly Breland & husband James, Samuel Kimball & wife Barbara, Aaron Kimball & wife Devin, Timothy Kimball, Christopher Kimball, Sarah Kimball & husband Anthony, and numerous step great-grandchildren.

Born in Houston, Texas on September 14, 1944, Mary was one of seven children born to parents Travis William Lively and Mary Theresa Wosnitzky Lively. Throughout her childhood, she sang gospel music with her parents and all her siblings. The “Lively Family” would gain popularity singing in area churches, including performances with Ted Mack and The Don Mahoney Show on TV in Houston, Texas. Through the years Mary would be asked to play her bass with numerous groups in the secular field as well. The Lively Sisters (and a cousin) performed at the National Gospel Singing Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1989 performed with Willie Nelson at Habitat for Humanity in Austin, Texas. They would also later perform at the Darrell Royal–Willie Nelson golf tournament at the Woodlands Auditorium and then for the TV show pilot, “The Sounds of East Texas” in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Mary graduated Cum Laude from high school , and attended University of Houston. She worked as a secretary for several gas and oil companies in Houston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. After marrying in 1971, Mary would later work at home assisting John for more than 40 years in his chemical endeavors. With three partners. John started the Pearl River Water Purification Plant in Pearl River, Louisiana. Later with Mary at his side he developed the Rotary Drum Thickener which was called Thickener Technologies. Thickener Technologies was later sold to Hycor Corporation, eventually sold to Waterlink Corporation, and finally Parkson Industries. Today this invention is used all over the United States, and if John were alive today he would tell you his success was due in part because of Mary’s constant assistance and support.

Mary was a kind, generous, and loving person. She stole the hearts of all those who knew her, not just her immediate family, but also her three step-children and all their families, who she grew to love through the years. She was always willing to listen, and was the kind of person everyone could go to in times of need. Mary loved to entertain, and she was the best hostess when throwing the annual Christmas party, a birthday party, bridal or baby shower, preparing for the family to visit in Rockport, or serving treats around the pool. She loved life, and she loved living it with those she held most dear.

Mary valiantly fought her fight to the very end. She was a woman of strength, courage, and faith. She will be missed by many, but we know she has taken her place beside John, resting at their favorite fishing hole, with Thunder and Holly at their side. We will always remember who she was, and how she touched so many lives.

The family wishes to thank all those who cared for Mary during her illness and passing: The doctors and nurses of Village Family Practice, the staff at Houston Methodist West Hospital, Encompass Home Healthcare, Legend Oaks Rehabilitation Facility, and the Neptune Society.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Pasadena, 7500 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas, 77505 on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

The Interment will be Monday, February 12, 2018, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77038, promptly at 10:15.

If you care to make a donation, the family asks that you give to the Wounded Warrior Project, the organization that was very dear to both John and Mary.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7

Arrangements under the direction of NEPTUNE SOCIETY - Houston, Houston, TX.