Mary Lee Anthony (Hickson) was born February 7, 1936, in McKinney, Texas to Harp Hickson and Merle Hickson (McDonald). She was the younger of two children.
She spent her formative years in McKinney, Texas and moved with her mother to San Diego, California where she attended and graduated from San Diego High School. One her favorite things in high school was Twirling the baton for San Diego High school marching band.
She met her love, Bennie Clark Anthony while singing and performing in her singing group the Creoletts. Soon after they met, they were married on March 9, 1957. From their union three sons were born Tony, Craig, and Brigham.
She accepted Christ at a young age and fellowshipped with several churches in San Diego starting with Bayview Baptist Church and ending with Christian Fellowship Congregational Church. She was active in ministry at church, singing solos and soprano parts in the church choir. She participated in women’s bible study and other church events regularly.
Mary started a career as a singer in a group called the Creolett’s. She later began working at the Broadway department store. After years of exemplary service, Mary retired as a Department Manager over several departments. She excelled as a salesperson and was recognized as employee of the month several times throughout her career. Her favorite departments were Gift-wrapping and Shoes. Mary was fond of working with her hands in the garden and she was known for her quilting and sewing and supporting her husband’s entrepreneurship businesses which they owned several, including ”Anthony’s Linen Shop”, Skyline’s “Anthony’s Coffee Shoppe”, “and “Anthony’s Auto Shopper and Repair” She worked behind the scenes supporting all Bennie’s adventures.
Mary enjoyed singing, catching up with her friends and family, watching her grandchildren, shopping at her favorite dollar stores and senior discounts days at Ross every Tuesday. She loved her trips to the Casino where she played the penny slots and always bragged on how much money she won. She loved pictures and making yearly calendars out of everyone’s school and Christmas pictures.
She was a devoted wife and mother who loved her husband, children and grandchildren. Her favorite time of the year was Christmas when she hosted parties making her stack of sweet potato pies. She enjoyed sweets and buying large tub of ice cream for the grandchildren when they would come over for visits or spending the night. Taking care of family was important to her. Mary often opened her home to a host of family and friends. All who knew and loved her will miss her.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Harp Hickson, Merle Hickson (McDonald), her husband Bennie Clark Anthony, Son Craig Lynn Anthony and sibling Arthur Hickson infectiously know as Uncle June.
On Sunday morning, November 14, 2021, Mary Lee Anthony was called to glory. She leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy. Children; Tony (Linda) Anthony, Brigham (Anita) Anthony daughters-in-law, Ester Anthony-Thomas and Jennifer Anthony Grandchildren: Jervae’ Anthony, Abrie Anthony, Angelo (Maiesha) Anthony, Sylvia Anthony, Angelina Anthony, Richard Williams, Eddie Thomas, Adrianna Williams, Armaund Anthony, Arthur Anthony, and Isaac Anthony; Great grandchildren: Maliyah Anthony, Amiyah Anthony, Abrie Jr. Anthony, and Keenan Ealdama-Anthony, a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
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