Mary Dean (Turpin) Eckardt was born in Erath County TX. at the home of her parents, J.A. and Emma (Sims) Turpin on February 22, 1926.  At the age of 93 years 4 months and 13 days she passed from this life at the Shattuck Nursing Center in Shattuck, OK. on July 5, 2019.  Mary grew up in Erath County where her Dad was a stock farmer and farmed on shares, she attended school at Lingleville, TX. graduating with the class of 1944.  On May 27, 1944 at Stephenville, TX., Mary was united in marriage to William Wilks (Bill) Eckardt.  Bill was in partnership with his mother, Norine, in the cattle business and the young couple established their home near Stephenville.  A daughter, Billie Paula, blessed their home.

During the drought of the 1950's, Mary and Bill relocated to Blanco, TX. and they kept moving south to rent grassland for their cattle business.  While living near Hondo, TX. the drought caught up with them and they rented land in Arkansas near Evening Shade, Ash Flat, Sidney, Cave City and Strawberry.  Hard times prevailed, the cattle were sold and Bill began employment at a sawmill.  Bill was hired by Roland Wheat, a farmer and rancher from Higgins, TX. and the family moved near Lipscomb, TX. on Plum Creek.  This remained their home until 1981 when they moved to Higgins, TX.

Mary was a loving wife and mother, her life was filled with hardships and challenges, but she enjoyed her family, especially her grandsons, they were her pride and joy.  She cooked and cleaned for other people to help with expenses and was a hard worker, always diligent in her efforts.  She was a recipient of the Lipscomb County Good Samaritan award.   She loved western swing music and her flowers, cats and the Senior Citizens dances at Woodward were special interests.  She enjoyed cooking and over the years was employed in that capacity, often working double shifts at Cafes in Shattuck, OK. and Canadian and Higgins, TX.  She was a baptized member of the Baptist Church, later transferring her membership to the Nazarene Church where she attended services with her grandsons.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, J.A. and Emma Turpin, her husband, Bill and her siblings, Boyd, Paul, Allie Mae, Lou Ve, Frances, Una, Mary, Jesse and Eula.

Her memory is cherished by her daughter, Billie Paula Mingus of Higgins, TX. and her grandsons, Denny Lee Mingus and wife Keisha and Cody Carl Mingus and wife Candace, other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to the

Higgins Fire Department

c/o Shaw Funeral Home

PO Box 276

Vici, OK 73859