Mary Genelia Languell's Obituary
Mary Languell
1923 - 2017
On July 31, 2017, just 1 week after her 94th birthday, Mary Languell slipped silently away from her sleep into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mary Genelia Morgan was born in Harlingen, Texas on July 24, 1923 to James and Ina Lee Morgan. She grew up on a farm in DeLeon, Texas in a large family consisting of uncles just a few years older and 2 sisters and a brother younger than her. Upon graduating from high school Mary moved to Dallas to work as a nurses’ aid in the burn unit at Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children and as a color artist for Hall-Gentry photography studio. It was there that she met a young airman from the local air base who became the love of her life. Mary and Melvin Languell were married on October 28, 1949 and a year later welcomed their first child, John. Mary left the work force and moved to a higher calling of wife and mother of four lively children.
Although she no longer worked outside the home Mary continued to stay busy with children and her art everywhere the Air Force sent her husband. She and her husband worked with children in England, teen and college aged groups in Oxnard, CA, with the boy’s Royal Ambassadors in Florida, with the Girl’s Axillary in Libya (Christian organizations similar to Boy and Girl Scouts). Through her art Mary gave to others working in Vacation Bible Schools everywhere they lived, teaching both Bible classes and arts and crafts. In her ceramic studio she created unique bud vases to hold flowers presented to new mothers in their church in Fairfield, CA as well as staying busy working in the church nurseries, singing in the choirs and playing both the piano and organ where needed.
Upon his retirement, the Languells settled in San Bernardino with their now teenaged children and became busy in their church and community here. They became foster parents to 19 children over the next 12 years and Mary was the nursery coordinator and taught Sunday School at Sterling Baptist Church. In 1980 Mel and Mary retired, sold their home, bought a travel trailer, and spent the next few years traveling the United States. When Mel’s poor health and the desire to be involved with their grandchildren brought them home to San Bernardino they once again became involved in church, this time Immanuel Baptist Church.
Interment will be private.
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