Mary Frances Hartley Colson

Mary Frances Hartley Colson, 98, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior August 28, 2025. Mary was born to Lyda and Francis Hartley September 17, 1926. Her father died when she was nine months old. Due to ailing health of her mother, she and her three siblings lived on a farm near Bowers Mill, MO with their maternal grandparents. When she was about four years old, their mother remarried and moved to a farm in Carthage, MO. Growing up on the recovering end of the Great Depression, life was simple and pleasant, but luxuries were few.

After graduating from Carthage High School, where she was active in drama and photography, attended Springfield Business College in Springfield, MO. With a crisp degree in her hand, went to work in the transportation field. Shortly thereafter, she met her life partner. Bob and Mary were married August 16,1945 until his death, February 13, 2018.

Mary was reared in a Christian home, coming from generations of Baptists on both sides. It seemed Christianity was inherited and taken for granted. As children were born, however, they brought with them the responsibility to nurture their souls as well as their bodies. She and Bob had the blessed privilege of raising two daughters, Lynn and Joy; and after the Lord, they and their families were always foremost in her life. She and Bob established a couple of businesses during their married life. They also originated and edited a magazine, Wings Over Texas, with their service in the Civil Air Patrol. Their final destination was New Braunfels, TX and a career in Civil Service.

Mary had several secondary interests including oil painting and traveling. During their lives, they lived in many parts of this beautiful United States and visited several foreign countries; the Holy Land being the highlight. She has been a Sunday school teacher, First Lt. in Civil Air Patrol, Bexar County Deputy Constable, President of N.B. Art League, Regent of Daughters of the American Revolution, Chaplain of the United States Daughters of 1812. She loved her horses and spent many pleasant hours riding and caring for them. Mary was fascinated by Genealogy; criss-crossing the United States several times in its pursuit and has written several
books on the subject.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Francis A. Hartley, mother, Lyda (Culley, Hartley) Whitehead, husband Robert J. Colson, brothers Bill, Roy and Glen Hartley.

Survivors are daughters Lynn (Don) Kosuda and Joy (Rocky) Hill; grandchildren Bryan Kosuda and Christina Clark; great grandchildren Colson (Morgan) Clark, Hartley Clark and Evyn Clark.