Mary Moudy

Mary Catherine Stubblefield Moudy, 88, of Happy passed away on Sunday, March 25, 2018.  Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Happy Church of Christ with Rick Bloodworth officiating.  Burial will follow in Happy Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Happy's Memorial Chapel.  Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Directors. Mary was born on April 9, 1929 in Nashville, TN to James Grant and Hazel King Stubblefield.  She grew up in Tullahoma, TN and after high school attended Harding University where she met Alvin Moudy.  They were married on August 25, 1950 and moved from the lush greenery of Tennessee to the dry, dusty plains of Happy, TX. Mary was an artist, who loved to paint the beauties of her loving Creator.  She was the creator of hundreds of works in numerous mediums.  Mary painted still life, portraits and landscapes and participated as both student and/or teacher in many art workshops and classes. She was a member of PAC (Panhandle Art Center).  She employed her talents daily to capture the beauty of God's creation.  Mary won many art awards that included Best of the Southwest and Best of Show for many years.  She was the first president of the Tri-State Art Association and the Happy Art Association.  She once said, "You can have pretty as cheap as you can have ugly."  She chose to create and appreciate beauty. Mary shared her love for the Lord and His word by teaching others.  She taught many through the World Bible School correspondence lessons, including her "foster son" Philip Baidoo-Essien, formerly of Ghana, now of Washington state, and continued to work with and encourage the native preachers in Ghana.  She was a gifted and creative teacher in both children's and ladies' classes.  Mary was a faithful Christian and a longtime member of the Happy Church of Christ. Mary loved to celebrate with family and friends.  She welcomed others to her table and each Sunday was simply another opportunity to include others.  She was a gifted hostess and cook, offering warm invitations to all. A stroke three years ago closed some doors of communication for Mary, but God opened wide the door for her gift of capturing beautiful flowers in watercolor paintings.  She painted hundreds of flowers to encourage us to appreciate God's palette.  She said, "I believe God has given me art abilities, not to make money with, but to help make me a better teacher with visual and creative ideas to teach His Word." Mary loved to communicate with others on Facebook.  It was a true joy for her to pull back the curtain of her life, so to speak, allowing you glimpses into her life and get to know her a little better.  She inspired others to enjoy beauty, look for the light, read God's word and stay faithful.  Her actions and photos that showed us the importance of faithful living and the blessings it provides have motivated so many across the miles. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James Grant and Hazel Stubblefield, her sister, Susanna McMillan, and her brother, Jim Stubblefield.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, Alvin Moudy, and her children: Alvin, Jr. and Jill Moudy of Shallowater; Janet and Ken Crossland of Canyon; Bobby and Sharla Moudy of Tulia; and Carolyn and Rick Bloodworth of Happy; a sister, Carol and Carl Russell of Manchester, TN; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Gordon Anderson of Lubbock; a sister-in-law, Lucy Moudy of Happy; and a host of family and friends. The family suggests memorials to the Happy Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 216, Happy, TX 79042 or to Happy Church of Christ and designate either the 30 Day Challenge or Ghana Mission Work in the memo, PO Box 578, Happy, TX 79042.