Obituaries

Our beloved mother, Mary Wright Larabee, 72, passed peacefully from this life at her home in Sherman on Monday, November 10, 2014. Mary Wright was born on July 7, 1942 in Sherman to Harry and Bertha Wright. She was the youngest of their seven children. Mary was educated in the Sherman public schools, where in high school she earned distinguished recognition in girls’ basketball. Upon graduation, Mary attended college classes at East Texas before joining Sooner Oil Company as the Office Manager. In 1971, Mary married Captain Frederick S. "Rick" Larabee. Through their military service, the couple made home in Sherman, Arizona, California, and Wichita Falls, Texas. During this time, Mary was a devoted homemaker and volunteered selflessly in many causes through the Officer's Wives' Club. The highlight of Mary's life was the birth of her son, Frederick S. "Rick" Larabee II, her pride and joy. Mary also loved and nurtured Rick's two daughters from his previous marriage. Upon her return to Sherman in 1983, Mary worked for Oscar Mayer in sales. Preceding retirement, she worked in employment recruiting/executive hires. Mary was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She lived her life with grace, exuberance, and joy. She worshiped at Parkview Church of Christ. She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She always saw and believed in the best of her fellow humankind. She loved nature and the outdoors, and was especially content while tending and growing her houseplants and garden flowers. She loved watching the birds feeding from the seed she left for them. She fed her family delicious, nutritious meals, a trait learned from her own beloved mother. An advocate of personal growth and well-being, she studied for several years under Dr. Jim Kitchens. She enjoyed music and dancing, and was the #1 Dallas Mavericks Fan! For several years, Mary volunteered at the Grayson County voting precinct during elections. Mary's favorite four-legged friend, Nikki, was her constant companion. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Ann Laughlin and Peggy Cranfill, brothers Dewey Wright, Allen E. “Teeny” Wright, and H.C. “Booty” Wright, and sister-in-law Hazel Wright. Mary will be missed by her brother Harold C. Wright of Sherman; sisters-in-law Mary Ann Wright of Sherman, and Owanna Wright of Farmers Branch; son Rick Larabee of Austin; daughters Tracey Sherman and her husband David of New Braunfels, and Jeana Shaw and her husband Ben of Perkinston, Mississippi; grandchildren Francene, Shelley, Raymond, and Ryan; great grandchildren Katey, Aliyah, Ayden and Addisyn; and many much-loved nieces and nephews. Our hearts are overcome with sadness, but only because of our loss, for we know that Heaven is embracing our loved one. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews: Jerry Wright, Alan Cranfill, Kenneth Cranfill, Perry Glenn Wright, Scotty Wright, and grandson Raymond Sherman. Visitation/viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m., Friday, November 14, at Dannel Funeral Home in Sherman. Services will follow at 1:00 p.m., with interment immediately thereafter at Friendship Cemetery. The family will receive friends following interment at the Sherman Holiday Inn Express dining room.