Mary Williams Tippy

February 2, 2021

Mary left this world early in the morning of Monday, February 1, 2021 to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ due to complications from the coronavirus.  She was preceded in death by her father John Williams; mother, Thelma Scott Williams Tisdale; step father, James Esco Tisdale; sisters, Helen Byrnes and Carolyn Williams (aged 4 years); brother, Jack Williams; beloved husband, Charles Edward Tippy; and son, William James Tippy; nephews, Bob Byrnes and Michael Byrnes.

She is survived by her sister, Ishvani LeClaire of California; daughter, Carolyn Tippy Patrick and husband, Bob Patrick of Texas; son, Bruce Matthew Tippy and Francine Poulin of Tennessee; granddaughter, Heather Tippy Halewood and husband, Keir Halewood; great granddaughter, Ayla Rhianna Halewood of the United Kingdom; nephews, Jon Byrnes of Indiana; James Byrnes of Florida; and sister in law, Donna Williams of Florida.

Mary was born into poverty as a share croppers daughter during the depression in Knox County, Indiana, one of four children.  Mary knew at an early age she wanted to be an overseas missionary.  In 1956, while earning her R.N., Mary met and married the love of her life Charles (Charlie) Tippy.  After they married they lived in various places as Charlie's job moved them across the country: Ann Harbor, St. Louis, Missouri, Houston, Texas, and Wichita, Kansas.

Mary and Charlie joined Wycliffe Bible Translators. Mary as a nurse and Charlie as Accountant and Auditor.  They served as missionaries in Haiti, the South East Pacific and in Papua New Guinea.  In 1988 while serving in Papua New Guinea their son Bill tragically died in Wichita.  He was a very special young man to all who knew him, especially his Uncle Jack.  Three years later in January 1991 while still serving in PNG, Charlie passed away.

Mary returned to Dallas and worked as a nurse at the Summer Institute of Linguistics clinic.  She also worked for various causes including prison ministry, Healing the Wounds of Trauma and other worthy efforts.  Even into her 80's Mary, along with her friend, Denice Hovland, went to several countries in South East Asia and India.  Some of these under very difficult and dangerous circumstances, which all who serve The Lord in foreign countries accept and understand.  She was a foreign despot's worst nightmare: A little old Christian lady, bravely spreading the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ to enslaved populations.

Mary was a kind, generous and gentle woman with a great love of people and The Lord. She was a servant to all, a bright shining light in the darkness of this world, ever ready to help any and everyone in need.  Mary received her greatest joy in helping to bring people to know Jesus Christ.

"One wanting God so much, while waiting lived so much of Him."

2 Timothy 4:7 and 8

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 5:00 PM at Wycliffe Event Center, 7500 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas, Texas 78236, Marshall Schultz as officiant.