Mary Lee Bayless, just shy of 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, surrounded by her family. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Fairlanes Baptist Church in Borger with Denis Melton officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
Mary Lee was born in McLean, Texas on February 28, 1926, to Homer Lee Abbott and Oma Arnold. After graduating from McLean High School, Mary Lee went on to discover her first passion, music, while attending West Texas A&M University. She would later graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education and begin teaching music in public school systems where she held the Choir Director role at schools such as Sam Houston Middle School, Stephen F. Austin Middle School, and Borger High School.
During Mary Lee’s teaching years her students would often refer to her as Snow White, a reference to her jet-black hair and angelic voice. So, it came as no surprise when John Edward Bayless was smitten after witnessing Mary Lee sing in the choir for the First Baptist Church of Borger one Sunday morning. The two were wed shortly after on June 19, 1949, in McLean, Texas.
Mary Lee was the president of the 20th Century Club, a member of the Borger Federated Music Club for over 25 years, was the leader of the First Baptist Church of Borger’s children’s choir for over 20 years, and was recently mentioned as one of the most influential teachers of Borger ISD.
Mary Lee was a devoted wife and later a devoted mother to she and John’s four children. From spending summers in Colorado at piano camp to sewing the dream prom dress to mimic Cinderella for Leanne, Mary Lee supported her children at every turn. Her faith in her children and her faith in the Lord went unmatched.
No one could make you laugh harder than Mary Lee. Whether it was her uncanny memory of a time you spent together, a funny face from eating something she didn’t care for, or simply saying something wildly inappropriate – she could have you wheezing in no time at all.
Mary Lee loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and words cannot describe how perfectly she executed the role of “Mammaw.” From introducing her loved ones to music by attending the Amarillo Symphony and watching Shirley Temple movies on repeat to never forgetting to bake a homemade strawberry cake for your birthday – she did it all and she did it with love. In the end, her most treasured time was spending 72 years with the love of her life, John.
Mary Lee is preceded in death by her parents: Homer Lee Abbott and Oma Arnold, and husband of 72 years, John Edward Bayless.
She is survived by her sons John Edward Bayless Jr. of Palm Springs, CA, Daniel (Dan) Homer Bayless of San Francisco, CA, and James (Jim) Fredrick Bayless and wife Shelly of Amarillo; her daughter Mary Leanne Bayless Bryan of Graham, Texas; grandchildren Colby John Oates and wife Amanda of Borger, Texas, Abbott Alice Figueiras and husband Mark of Houston, Texas, James F. Bayless, Jonathan C. Bayless, and Jordan Cox of Amarillo, Texas; and great-grandchildren Addayln Jaye Oates and Aubrey Kate Oates of Borger, Texas.