Mary Lou Baltzegar, 99

On Aug. 15, 1911 Mary Lou Virginia Baltzegar was born in White House, Texas to Phillip and Virginia Baltzegar. She was the fifteenth child to this union.
In 1942 she moved to Portland, Or. with her brother and sister in-law. Her first job in Oregon was working for Arthur A. Cox Sr. at the Subway Grill.
During WWII she became a welder at the Kaiser Shipyard. In 1947 she met Louie Hicks whom she later married; and to this union a daughter was born.
In 1953 she met Elzie Lee Howard and they were married in 1962. To this union two children were born and his daughter from a previous marriage all became a family. Mary later became an ordained minister.
In 1965 she went back to college at Portland Community College to finish her education and taught at Humboldt Elementary School for 2 years.
Mary was a proud member of Local Union #296 and a member of the PTA association. She also enjoyed playing her organ, piano and pink guitar. Preceding her in death is her parents; husband Elzie Lee Howard; and 14 siblings.
She leaves to celebrate her home going her children: Lauren V. Hicks, Rowland L. Howard (Denise), Elzie L. Howard Jr. of Portland, OR., and Loretta Howard-Caldwell (James) of Indianapolis, IN; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; only sister in law: Bezelle Howard; sister in Lord: Dr. Hazel Brown; her pastor: Rev. Franklin Brown; sisters: Bessie Mae Mangum of Vancouver, WA, Margie Branch, Gladys Morris (Joe) of Hermiston, OR, Tina Thomas, Rosie Thomas, James Bell, Wayne Thomas, Timmy Thomas, Willam Bell and Linda Bell.