Mary Zips Grady

Mary Zips Grady, lovingly known as "Sister", 84, died Saturday, February 25, 2006 in a local care facility. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, February 28 at 2:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home; 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Thurman Thomas will officiate. Burial will follow in the Fort Phantom Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Grady was born August 26, 1921 in Nugent, Texas to Clyde E. and Mildred Scott George. Mary attended school in Nugent, where she graduated in 1939. A resident of Abilene and the Big Country most of her life, she was a mother and homemaker as well as, in later years, a clothing inspector, working for Langford Manufacturing and Aileen's Clothing before retiring. Mrs. Grady was a member of North Park Church of Christ. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and two grandchildren. She is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Beall and her husband Joe, of Abilene; two sons, Danny "Pete" Zips and his wife Patricia, of Anson, and Bill Zips and his wife Deane of Tyler; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.