Mary McKinney Cannon

Mary McKinney Cannon passed away peacefully at her home at Stoney Brook in Belton. She was 102. She began her life in Ruleville, MS, the fourth child of Charlie and Doskey McKinney. They moved shortly after to Louisiana, living in several places, but settling longest in Ruston. Mary attended college at Louisiana Tech in Ruston majoring in English Literature and French. She always said she earned minor in Biology by mistake because she really didn’t like it.

Mary met Frank Cannon in a speech class in college. They married after she completed her degree and were in Washington DC before he was assigned various duties for the remainder of the war. Mary ended up teaching everything from elementary to high school classes in California, Idaho, South Carolina, Louisiana, then finally in Belton, Tx, where she taught senior English for several years. Seeing former students as adults in the community made her smile- she enjoyed seeing their successes. She also used her expertise to keep her own children actively engaged in their own learning.

While she loved teaching, she gave up classroom duties to raise her family and dedicated much of her time to her children as well as volunteering at Scott and White Hospital. Some of her favorite years included serving as president of the Texas Hospital Auxillary. She talked a number of friends into getting involved in various volunteer duties and had a knack for organizing fund raising events for the group and hospital.

When she had a free moment, she might have been found on the board for the local library (a favorite spot) and reporting on various books and topics for the ladies Wednesday Club, working on projects with her PEO sisters, or later, working in real estate where she got to meet people moving into, out of and around the commnunity. She enjoyed the sporting events her kids were involved with and kept current with whatever they enjoyed.

Mary found and joined the Methodist church shortly after moving to Belton and stayed actively involved in committees and church outreach wherever she was needed. She continued helping with these activities well into her 90s. Her faith kept her grounded and provided her both joy and contentment.

Mary also loved to travel, read and entertain. She learned the art of hostessing at a young age, and loved having friend and family gatherings whenever she could.

Whether the trip took her to Idaho to visit relatives or to hop a flight to Europe or elsewhere, she took advantage of all opportunities to be with friends and loved ones in happy places. In Belton, her home was the site of formal and informal gatherings of friends and acquaintances. Beside her, almost always, was a book for the quieter moments.

After a century of learning, teaching, giving her time and enjoying life, she gratefully joined all the family and friends who passed before her. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou Helseth and two grandchildren, Megan Woodruff and John Helseth. She filled their lives with love and laughter. We will miss her presence.

No formal services are planned at this time; she will join Frank and so many friends at the VA cemetery in Killeen, Tx.