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Mary Louise Shuler met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 3:24 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the age of 82, in her home in San Antonio, Texas. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years William "Ed" Shuler; her parents Larry N. Alexander and Cleo Tumlinson Alexander; her son-in-law Allen Wright and adopted sister Mary Orcutt. She is survived by her daughters Linda Wright, Marian Ingram (Randy) and Katherine Pruitt; brother, James Alexander (Terri); grandchildren Emily Ingram, Mary Cox and Miley Ratliff; grandpup Ry and great-grandpups Oobi and Sandy and many other family members and friends. Mary was born in New Braunfels, Texas on May 11, 1942. In April 1961, at the age of 18, before graduating high school, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Ed. It was clear to anyone paying attention that she loved him and he loved her. Their love story lasted until his death in 2010. After graduating Harlandale High School, and having only been out of Texas a few times, she followed Ed to Germany. They left as a family of 2 but returned as a family of 3 with their first daughter, Linda. Germany was the first of many places Mary and Ed would go. Okinawa, Japan was next and then San Angelo, Texas, where she had their second daughter, Marian. Next on their adventure was San Marcos, Texas, and finally Colorado where Mary was instrumental in helping Ed with the Air Force ROTC Cadets. Being an Air Force Sergeant’s wife allowed her to see places she never dreamed of seeing. Mary was a strong and kindhearted woman who never met a stranger - only future family members to “adopt”. Her home and heart were always open. She deeply loved and cared for many people over the years. When her granddaughter Mary Cox was born prematurely, and could not be released from the hospital, Mary made her home available to Katie, a friend who became a daughter, and her husband, to stay until baby Mary could be released. This gesture of love and compassion was extra special as Mary and Ed’s home was from that point on considered to be the first home Mary Cox would know. Mary’s great love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was evident through her life as she served Him and prayed for those around her. She considered Woodlake Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas, her church home and that is where she could be found – usually in the church’s kitchen or fellowship hall - preparing food and decorations for church functions. She also enjoyed serving with Ed on mission trips. She was a quiet helper. She would work herself with all she had and never wanted any recognition for it. Besides helping at church with countless showers and potlucks, she also helped with every family occasion: weddings, showers, birthdays, graduations, holidays, ski trips, picnics and so forth. The family will always fondly remember how she used her time and talents to show us her love. Some of our favorites are: the hand beaded lace she did for our formal dresses, bouquets made for our weddings, fabric roses which were sewn, wrapped secured on a floral pick with wire, and then filled with bird seed for a newlywed’s farewell. Hours of devoted love in action. And, we can’t forget the countless chicken salad sandwiches and fried chicken her family and many Air Force ROTC cadets enjoyed. She called people “Honey” or “Hun” - because that is what every good southern lady calls the young women and men around them. Mary loved to travel with her family and was blessed to take family trips all over America. She enjoyed fishing and walking along the beach to hunt for seashells. For her it was not about where they went, but that she was there with them, her family. With her family is where she loved to be. To be in Mary’s presence was to be at home. She demonstrated love in everything she did, loved with all she had, loved like Jesus loves, and by example taught those around her how to love. Mary Louise Shuler was someone very special and those of us who love her most consider ourselves truly blessed to have received her love in return and to know she prayed for us all. Mary, you are already missed, you will never be forgotten and we trust that God has now shown you how many lives you touched both directly and indirectly as the love you shared rippled through the world. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Funeral Service will be celebrated on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at San Fernando Cemetery III.

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Mary Louise Shuler

May 11, 1942 - February 1, 2025