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Mary Helen Montgomery of San Antonio, Texas died while surrounded by family on October 07, 2023 at the age of 88. Born in Crystal City, Texas on July 22, 1935 to Frank and Eleanor Muriel Castillo, she was the youngest of four children. She attended school in Crystal City, when segregation based on her skin color was still practiced until she was in junior high. In high school, she was on the softball and volleyball teams, was elected to the student council, served as president of the business administration, Spanish, and library clubs, was an editor of the school newspaper, and was voted the most representative of her school during her sophomore year. Her love of school and hard work paid off, as she was named Valedictorian during graduation in 1954. She received numerous scholarships to schools and universities across Texas, but being eager to work, instead went to business school in San Antonio. She began work in Civil Service in 1955, working at the 4th Army Headquarters Command at Fort Sam Houston for the Deputy Chief of Logistics, later being a writer and editor for the 5th Army, Public Affairs Office. She took a break in 1976 to help her husband manage business properties and a bookstore, later returning to work at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio from where she officially retired. As retirement was not for her, she would continue to work part-time while also holding callings in her church as she had throughout her adult life. Mary and Rex were married in the Provo Utah Temple in 1974. They loved to travel, listen to music, and enjoyed cultural arts together. She was a proud Native Texan, loving all things about our state. As an avid sports fan, you could catch her watching football, baseball, and of course basketball following her favorite team the San Antonio Spurs. Her Husband Rex, her Brother Frank, and her Sister Gloria precede Mary in death. She is survived by her Brother Ralph Castillo, and children Marta Barnes (Erin), Miguel Montgomery (Diane), and Mark Montgomery (Chillon). While she is proud of the accomplishments of Marta, Miguel, and Mark, she was most proud of her grandchildren; Bambi Prosser (J.D.), Jade Christensen (Lucas), Buzz Barnes (Rae), Megan May (Doug), and Haden, Hennessy, Heston, and Hudson Montgomery. Also, of her great-grandchildren, Payden, Anika, and Denali Prosser, Xander, Heston, Adele, and Tarek Christensen, Dax Barnes, and Jed and Mara May. Despite not being officially related, she to this day will treat Rocky Martinez (Rebecca) as if he was her other son, and more recently Bentleigh Kersey (Tyler and Kaitlyn) as her great-granddaughter, always checking in on them, curious on how they were both doing. She was one of the kindest most-loving individuals anyone could meet. A friend to everyone she met, the person known as the Best Mom Ever, will be missed by all her knew her. Mary’s life will be celebrated on Friday, October 27, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 2103 St. Cloud San Antonio, Texas 78228 She will be laid to rest with her husband at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on October 27, 2023. Mary will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on October 27, 2023.

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Mary Helen Montgomery

July 22, 1935 - October 7, 2023