Mary Jane Scribner's Obituary
Mary Jane Scribner of Farmers Branch, Texas died on April 20 at Medical Center of McKinney. Mary Jane’s life began in Atlanta, Georgia. She was born October 16, 1932 to Hibbard Spencer Busby and Mary Gish Busby. At the age of 12 Mary Jane and her family moved to the Lone Star State. Mary Jane attended Lancaster Elementary School and Lancaster High School. Her accomplishments included playing basketball for the Lancaster Tigers and playing the piano. Educators who influenced Mary Jane were J.E. Dawson and his wife Eula, Pauline James and Elsie Robertson. While in Lancaster she worked at Hoosier’s Pharmacy that had a large old-fashioned ice cream counter. This job allowed Mary Jane to make many friends. Her keen interest in knowing and sharing information led to her friend Billy Moreland naming her “Double Dip Mary and Her Mobile Unit.” Following her graduation at Lancaster in 1950 Mary Jane‘s college education began at Arlington State College (now UTA). She completed her bachelor and master degrees at North Texas State University (now UNT). Her academic endeavors prepared her for a lifetime career in elementary education. Immediately upon completing her studies Mary Jane married her special love Andy Jack Scribner at First Christian Church in Lancaster in 1958. They lived in Farmers Branch and were married for 56-1/2 years. Mary Jane’s first teaching assignment was at Roger Q. Mills Elementary in Oak Cliff . She went on to teach at A.S. Johnston, Reinhardt , E.L. DeGolyer and K.B. Polk elementary schools. The style of Mary Jane’s classroom teaching and discipline was rigorous but she was determined to prepare children for their future. It apparently made a difference because many of them found success in secondary school and college. This progress with her elementary children was one of the reasons Mary Jane was recognized as a Teacher of the Year in Dallas ISD in 1985. After retiring from 35 years of teaching in 1990 Mary Jane chose to continue her association with the school system by working as a substitute teacher and reading tutor in the Dallas ISD for 20 more years. Her extra dollars went to fund traveling to two of her favorite activities: her bowling tournaments for her and her husband’s golf tournaments. Mary Jane continued her friendships with her teaching colleagues for many years. Family meant much to Mary Jane and she was always in attendance at gatherings on the Busby side and the Scribner side. One could always count on her to pull out her camera to document each occasion. Many of these photos ended up in her numerous scrapbooks. Mary Jane also spent time in the kitchen and loved sharing her homemade cookies regularly with everyone. Other interests included seeing a movie on the first day it was released and bragging about it, watching the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers with intensity and driving to El Fenix on Forest Lane every Friday night for Mexican food with Jack and friends. Although Mary Jane had an email address, her strong suit was handwriting letters and cards to family and friends on a regular basis. One could count on her birthday greeting to arrive on time or before the actual day. Mary Jane’s survivors include her husband Andy Jack Scribner and her brother, Roy Busby of Denton (wife Jo Ann). Siblings who predeceased Mary Jane are Gloria Busby Helmer and Robert Busby. Nephews and nieces on Mary Jane’s side include: Vicky and John Helmer and children Ana and Jennifer — McKinney Clare Helmer — TexasKelli and Aaron Busby and children Collin, Elliott and Allan — Lewisville Amy (Busby) and Scott Houdek and children Lily and Walker — Dallas Mary Jane experienced much love from the Scribner clan. The following nieces and nephews were very special to her and she considered her husband’s people to be her family, too. They are: • Judy Long • Therese and Robert Scribner • Nancy Ward Morrow (deceased) • Sharon Hardwick • Karen and Harold Stephens • Padgett and Linda Bryant • Peggy and Avery Scribner • Beth and James David Scribner • June and Mike Curry • Donna and Chris Rivers • Carla and John Rackley Along with the above named people Mary Jane has a host of very special great nieces and nephews who cared deeply for her. Special thanks go to the many medical personnel and employees of the hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and senior living residences who worked diligently this year to restore health and quality of life to Mary Jane. The nurturing efforts of these people and companies will always be remembered by the family. The funeral service for Mary Jane will be held at 10:30 AM on April 24, 2015 in The Abbey Chapel at Restland Funeral home, with visitation one hour prior. Pallbearers will be Jay Bryant, Aaron Busby, Mario Carbajal, John Helmer, Keith Long and Robert Scribner. Honorary pallbearers are Avery Scribner and Padgett Bryant. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or online at alz.org.
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