Mary Jean George, 89
November 15, 1933 – July 27, 2023
Mary Jean McNabb George, 89, of Port Arthur, Texas died at home on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
She was born in Montgomery, Alabama on November 15, 1933. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Valery “Mac” McNabb, Sr. and Jennie Barbara (McGowen) McNabb, her brother, James Valery “Jim” McNabb, Jr., her husband of more than 64 years, William Dewitt “Dub” George, Jr., MD., and her son-in-law, Dean Cook.
Mary Jean had three children, Kathy Cook of Port Arthur; Beth Shupp-George (Kristi Shupp-George) of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; and David George of Houston, Texas and five grandchildren, Adam Cook of Port Arthur, Ashley Cook and Ellie Shupp-George of Chambersburg, and William “Teddy” George and Daphne George (and their mother, Susan George) of Houston. Mary Jean is also survived by her sister, Sue McNabb Brown, of Richmond, Virginia and several nieces and nephews.
In addition, she is survived by Maria Granados (Fito) and their children, of Nederland, Texas, who have become family to her and Dub in recent years, as well as a number of dedicated and loving caretakers.
Mary Jean’s family moved to Port Arthur when she was a baby and she lived there for most of her life. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1951, and Lamar State College of Technology in Beaumont, Texas, in 1955. She attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where she was one of six women in a class of 152 students. While in medical school, she met Dub and they were married July 6, 1957. She earned a Masters Degree in biochemistry in 1958 and a PhD in physiology in 1966. She taught at St. Mary School of Nursing in Galveston and Lamar State College of Technology. She and Dub returned to Port Arthur in 1964.
Mary Jean was known for her devotion to education, her community, her family, and her beloved Dallas Cowboys.
Although she left the classroom after her own children were born, her passion for education led her to dedicate herself to serving the children of Port Arthur and beyond through her tenure as a member of the Port Arthur Independent School District Board of Trustees (1981 – 1999, 2008 – 2011); as a board member of the Texas Association of School Boards; in numerous leadership roles in the PTA at the local, district and state level;as a founder, board member and president of the Port Arthur Public Schools Foundation and as a member of multiple advisory committees among various non-profits and educational organizations.
Mary Jean was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Port Arthur, taught adult Sunday School classes and served for many years on the finance and personnel committees.
When her children were young, she supported and volunteered with Camp Fire, Boy Scouts, youth sports, TJ Band Boosters, and other activities and organizations in which they were involved, and rarely missed a meeting, game or performance.
In lieu of flowers, please remember Mary Jean with donations to the Port Arthur Education Foundation.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral home in Groves. Service to honor Mary Jean's life will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 3, 2023 in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson. A private burial service will follow.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
5:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors
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