Mary Ellen Houston (Mother Houston, Momo, Helen) was the eldest of seven children to the late Melvin Berry and Vallie Lockhart-Berry, on March 31, 1921 in Onalaska, Texas. Mary attended Onalaska Elementary School where she received her childhood education. Mary accepted Christ at an early age; she joined The Church of God in Christ. She loved the Lord and served in various capacities including: Usher Board, Mission Auxiliary, Women's Choir, Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Mother's Board and was also a Licensed Missionary and Church Mother.
Mary met and married the love of her life, Clarence (PawPaw) Houston and in that union, was blessed with seven beautiful children (two sons, four daughters and one adopted daughter).
Her hobbies included fishing, sewing, and spending time with her dog, Coby. Mother Houston was preceded in death by her parents, brother Alvin Berry; sisters, Mary Etta Delaney and Gladys Berry; grandson, Derrick Clovis and her loving husband of 60 years, Clarence Houston.
In 2007, Mother Houston and her family (Mary, Jemahl and Adrian) moved to Desoto, Texas, becoming members of the Greater True Vine C.O.G.I.C. under the pastorage of Elder Charles C. Colbert. She was a faithful member, serving on the Mother's Board, assisted in the Pastor's Aide, and participated in Tuesday noontime Intercessory Prayer.
She leaves to cherish her memories: three siblings, Willie Berry(Dorothy), Talton Berry (Jacqueline), L. Dudley Berry; six children, Marcus Houston (Lillie), Vallie Ann Cooper (Levell), Katherine Guillory, LaVera Williams (Ardis), Mary Elaine Royalston, Gertha Smith; eighteen grandchildren: Sheila Houston, Cynthia Houston, Jacqueline Graves, Veronica Jones, Nelda Washington, Vickie Dixon, Precious Cassandra Cooper, Charles Guillory, Paul Anthony Guillory, Michael Guillory, Robert Houston, Shontae Lee, Jemahl Littleton, Adrian Johnson, Shonette Copes, Michael Williams, Mary Williams; thirty-two great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.
