Mary F. Custer Clevenger
Mary F. Custer Clevenger, 78, of League City, Texas passed away from this life on Thursday, March 3, 2016 in Houston, Texas at Harbor Hospice Care Center. Mary was born in Hitchcock, TX on April 18, 1937 and was also raised there. She was a graduate of Dominican High School in Galveston and after the birth of her two sons she furthered her education with an associate’s degree from Galveston College, her B.S. and a Master’s Degree from University of Houston in education with additional time spent at UH working towards a Doctorate. She was employed at Lipton Tea Co. for her early career where she had many lifelong friends. She also helped at American Fence Supply which was her first husband’s business. She then began her teaching career which included elementary education in the Galveston ISD and in the Hitchcock ISD where she retired after 30 plus years. She always had great joy and feelings for so very many of her former students that she helped to educate. It was so very rewarding for her to see them become successful in life.
She was a friend to many having lived in Galveston, Santa Fe, and League City for her final stop. Like so many other grandparents she thought the world of her seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren while spending lots of time fun time with them. She also loved her casino trips and local card games. Her home and friends in the League City Retirement Community at Tuscan Lakes were also so very wonderful for her.
Mary was preceded in death by her second husband Joe Clevenger, her first husband Joseph A. Custer, Sr. her parents Katherine and C. C. Howard.
She is survived by her sons Joe Custer, Jr., and wife Valerie of League City and Boo Custer and wife Diane of League City, grandchildren Cassie Custer Vandeford and husband Robert, Trey Custer and wife Karlee, Coy Custer and fiancé Arin, Valen Custer, Kristen Custer, Chase Custer, and Carly Custer, great grandchildren Adarra and Cabrina Vanderford, Easton (ER 4) Custer and Evan Custer, sister Charlene McDuffie (Bill) of Lake Conroe, TX and Brother Nelson Howard (Lil) of Hitchcock TX and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and her little yorkie BooBoo.
So very dear to her were caregiver and friend Linda Tillmon of Galveston, Wayne Lovette and wife of League City, and Ellie Whitlock of Webster. The family also wishes to extend unending thanks to Drs. Aruna and Mahendra Agraharkar, and Dr. Nguyen for all of their great care and understanding of her needs.
A visitation in her honor will be held 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Monday, March 7, 2016, Crowder Funeral Home, Dickinson, Texas with Graveside Services 2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 8, 2016, Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Dickinson, Texas.
In Lieu of flowers donation may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
Hi Joe, Boo and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to your family. Always remember and share her great times with generation after generation. I lost my mom last year and can understand what you are going through but knowing my mom is at peace now, makes me feel better. Take care and know that she is looking after your family from up above and smile!
Sincerely,
Sandy Kershaw Denby
So sorry for your loss Joe and Boo Boo. We had a lot of good times with your Mom and your Dad. They will always be in our hearts. Prayers for you and your family. Maria and Al West
My deepest condolences and sympathy to Mary’s family as well as her many friends, I was her first daughter-in-law and I had the privilege to present her with her first granddaughter and grand child. Before I became a part of the Custer / Howard family (which I am no longer).
Mary and I would spend many days sun tanning on the pier in sunny Galveston laughing and joking, swimming with my sister and Close friend Tina Socias.
Mary had an amazing sense of humor and she loved to play cards, which I never could play as (I just wasn’t Into cards).
The Howard family reunions were the best place to be on any occasion, they made homemade everything, If you loved antiques (as I do ) the house was full like a museum to explore. I remember the ravioli made by grandma howard and her sisters was such a thing of art. I especially loved the homemade marinated mushrooms, all wonderful cooks. The warm home cooking was matched only by the warm hearts of the Family, children playing … as they are all good generous and loving. The Howard family was a wonderful family to be a part of and I miss them all very much and so glad my oldest daughter and granddaughters now have such a remarkable heritage from the Howard’s / Custer family. Praying that Mary’s family legacy will carry on in the next generations. Mary will be very missed by all that knew and loved her. My prayers and sympathy go out to Mary and her family.
I am sorry for your loss. I will pray for your family. She was my teacher many years ago in Hitchcock elem.
My prayers are with you all at this time of loss.
My condolences to the Custer Clevenger family on the loss of your mother. Your mother taught my daughter in 1999-2000, our last year in Texas before relocating to the Washington, DC area. My family adored your mother, she was joyous and witty. She touched 3 generations from one classroom. Our prayers are with your family.
Sending prayers of peace for you and your family. I had many fun times teaching PreK alongside Mary at Northside Elementary in Hitchcock.
Joe, and Boo-boo,.
I was saddened to hear that your mom passed away. I loved Mary so much! She taught with me at Northside Elementary for 10 years. She quickly took me under her wing to tell me the dos and don’t s in education for I was a beginning teacher. We bec as me friends for she did not let her age or interfere with who were her friends. We had tons of fun at the school, and outside of school. She made me laugh almost daily and kept each school day interesting and fun. We went camping and to the horse races many times. I have not lived in the League City area so I did not know she passed. She was one of a kind and I loved her