Mary Keyser

MARY LOUISE (JACKSON) KEYSER

Cedar Rapids

Mary Louise (Jackson) Keyser went to be with her Lord and Savior on Feb. 8, 2018 at the age of 86 in Dallas, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with numerous illnesses.

Mary was born June 29, 1931, in Albert Lea, Minn. She was the only child of Edward and Hulda Jackson. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she spent her early years.

In 1949, Mary graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids. It was there that she met her future husband, Lloyd. She went on to earn her nursing certificate from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids. Lloyd and Mary were married June 13, 1953. During Lloyd's senior year at the University of Iowa, Mary was proud to have participated in the very first hip replacement ever done at the university hospital. After moving to Texas in 1959, she went back to college in her early 40s and while raising two children, earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas.

Mary was a teacher of medical/surgical senior nursing at Texas Women's University on its various campuses and at the University of Arkansas Nursing College enriching the lives of so many students until her retirement.

Mary lead a remarkable life with a passion for reading history, philosophy, novels, Russian literature and biographies; drawing, painting, handwork, quilting and sewing custom clothing. She particularly enjoyed painting murals on the walls of baptisteries, doctor's offices, theatrical group backdrops and foyers. She and Lloyd had been faithful members of Scofield Memorial Church, Dallas, Texas, since 1981. She was active in teaching Sunday school classes, participating in women's Bible studies and Scofield Women's Group.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Lloyd; and two children, son, Dr. Dan Keyser and his wife, Dr. Linda Keyser, of Temple, Texas; daughter, Susan Keyser Brooks and her husband, Michael Brooks, of Fort Worth, Texas; and her four grandchildren, Sarah Keyser, Maddie Keyser, Christopher Brooks and Alexandra Brooks.

Memorial gifts in Mary's name may be made to the mission's fund of Scofield Church. A celebration of Mary Keyser's life is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Scofield Church, 7730 Abrams Rd. Dallas, TX 75231.