Mary Ella Spears was born in early January, 1935, joining five siblings, in Grand Saline, TX. She spent her early years in this house. Life was not easy for her large family but she was blessed with a happy family. Her father was a WW I veteran and cattle rancher. Her mother was a school teacher. Her older brother served in the U.S Army and fought with an artillery unit from N. Africa through Italy in WW II. She was active in sports and a popular student. She was also the high school band drum majorette for all four years and graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1953.

She worked summers and went to college at North Texas State University where she worked in the university cafeteria. She was a contestant in the university beauty contest in her sophomore year and joined the Kappa Delta sorority in 1956. She graduated in 1957 with a degree in education.

On 15 November 2008, Mary suffered major bilateral (both sides) ischemic strokes following surgery to remove a small intestine blockage. After nine days in intensive care to save her life, the prognosis was that she would never walk, talk or feed herself again. She bravely endured months in the hospital, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. She can’t walk but does talk. She feeds herself and her mind and memory are very good.