Mary Lou McKinney peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 6, 2026.  Mary Lou was born in Octavia, Oklahoma on July 29, 1932 to Lessie and Walter Buzbee.  After graduating from Lawton High School in Lawton, OK, she continued working the ticket booth for the Lawton theatre downtown.  It was there she met "Tommy" Jesse Dean McKinney while he was in Lawton to pitch a baseball game for a minor league baseball team.   Four months later they were married September 23, 1950.  They lived in Ada, OK where Tommy graduated from East Central. They added Mike to the family in Oklahoma.  While stationed in the air force at Camp Polk, Louisiana, Janice was born.  Tommy and Mary Lou both accepted Christ and were baptized while stationed there.

Their family of four moved to Pasadena, TX for Tommy's first teaching job which was math, woodshop and drafting. The family joined South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena in 1955 and remained active members for about 70 years.  Mary Lou started her college courses the day Janice started 1st grade in 1958.  Most Saturdays Tommy would take Mike and Janice to help build woodshop projects so Mary Lou could study in peace.  She graduated 2nd in her class at University of Houston.

The year after Mark was born Mary Lou began her teaching career at Bailey Elementary teaching 6th grade.  She taught 26 years but always said that particular 6th grade class was her favorite.  At Southmore Intermediate she taught geography She also met two other teachers – Mary Helen Ponder and Mary Lois Harless. They became fast friends for the rest of their lives and were known to the school staff as "The Marys."

In later years Mary Lou and Betty Runnels would spend evening hours on the phone talking about all things Oklahoma.  They called themselves the Oklahoma Girls.  The families were long time friends and shared many common interests starting with sports, Oklahoma, and what the kids were doing.  Mary Lou always said Betty prayed the best prayers.

Throughout their lives Mary Lou and Tommy went to every game possible that the children, grandchildren, and great–grandchildren played, from Pee Wee League up through college sports and National Football League.

Mary Lou was happiest when the house was filled with kids and their parents there for "Death Row" meals that consisted of Tommy grilling marinaded steaks and Mary Lou's creamed corn – basically butter soup – and burnt okra and 4-layer chocolate dessert.  She thrived on the energy in the house and how everybody got along together and she just liked to sit down and watch everyone interact.  It really was special.

Mary Lou was very strong in her faith and was prepared and ready.  She always tried to watch Tyler's sermon at Shadycrest on television every Sunday.   That was the highlight of her week.

Mary Lou is survived by her beloved children:  Michael & Lou Ann McKinney; Janice & Jerry LeVias; and Mark & Janis McKinney.  She is also survived by her loving grandchildren:  Stephen & Tiffany McKinney; Seth & Paige McKinney; Sean & Shannon McKinney; Jacob & Alison McKinney; Kelsey & Curtis Ardoin; Tyler & Lindsey McKinney.  She was also blessed with great-grandchildren – Jordan – Grace – Hunter - Kate – Abigail – Hannah – Dawson – Isabelle – Evelyn - Wade – Claire – Callie – Micah – Walt – Gwen – Cooper – Case – Corban – Caleb.  Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband "Tommy" Jesse Dean McKinney and many other family and friends.

We give heartfelt thanks and gratitude to The Harbor Assisted Living in Pearland and to Dr. Stephanie Mundy and Reina for all their diligent care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shadycrest Baptist Church in Pearland.

The service will be held at Peevey Funeral Home, Tuesday, September 15, at 11:00am  with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Park East cemetery.