Mary Turnbow

Mary Jane Turnbow passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at the age of 90, surrounded with love. Born on March 12, 1926, in Beeville, Texas, Mary Jane was the daughter of Joseph Charles Ramirez and Winnie Deer Ramirez and has lived most of her life in Beeville and Houston. Her parents and her beloved brother, Joseph Charles Ramirez Jr. preceded her in death. Mary Jane is survived by her devoted husband, James Markley Turnbow; daughter, Lucile Gruy Williams and her husband, Marion Eugene Williams Jr.; son, Stephen Kohler Gruy; step-sons, Robert Markley Turnbow and his wife, Sheila and David Michael Turnbow and his wife, Rachel; grandchildren, Ellie (Adam) Muhlig, Gene (Sonya) Williams, Lela (Alberto) Muzquiz, Kate (Ted) Jaceldo, Stephen (Liz) Gruy; step-grandsons, James and Michael Dean; and 14 great-grandchildren. Mary Jane graduated from A. C. Jones High School, Beeville, Texas in 1942, as Valedictorian of her class. She was active in the band as a clarinet player, twirler and as the Drum Major during her senior year. She attended the University of Texas in Austin where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and was honored as a Blue Bonnet Belle. Mary Jane returned home to Beeville after her sophomore year, due to the United States entry into World War II, and in May, 1946, she married Viggo Kohler Gruy, with whom she raised their children Lucy and Steve. Following their divorce, Mary Jane moved to Houston where she met and married Jim Turnbow with whom she has shared marriage and romance for 48 years. Mary Jane and Jim retired to Beeville during the 1980s, where they have enjoyed a life filled with family and friends that has included hunting, golf, travel, family gatherings and frequent entertaining. During quiet times she loved to read, do needlepoint and work crossword puzzles and enjoyed bridge with friends. As a long time member of Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church Mary Jane was generous with her time and talent. She was instrumental in the creation of the needlepoint kneelers sewn by the Women of Saint Philip’s and she herself needlepointed the banners currently used by the Church and School. With her husband, Jim, she was a strong supporter of every Church and School project and activity. Mary Jane was a lifetime honorary member of the Beta Club and the Pan American Round Table, of which she was a Charter Member, and a long time former member of the Rosetta Club of Beeville. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the State Bank and Trust of Beeville for sixteen years, retiring on her 65th birthday. Mary Jane also served terms on the Board of the James R. Dougherty Library and, when her children were young, volunteered at St. Joseph’s Catholic School where, most notably, she and several dedicated mothers helped to establish and catalogue the School’s student library. The family will be receiving friends at Galloway and Sons Funeral Home on Thursday, January 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church on Friday, January 27, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Beeville Memorial Park with Stephen K Gruy, Robert M. Turnbow, David M. Turnbow, Marion E. Williams Jr., Marion Eugene Williams III, and Stephen K. Gruy Jr. serving as pallbearers. The family wishes to express their great appreciation for the blessing of the loving care given to Mary Jane by Irma Gonzales, Robin Gonzales, Lily Garcia, Anita Garcia, Laly Contreras, Sylvia Cano, Joe Cano, Dr. Joseph Larakers, and the nurses of Exclusive Home and Hospice Care. Those who wish may make memorial donations to St Philip’s Episcopal Church or School or to a charity dear to their own hearts.

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