Mary Kate Vail

Vail, Mary Kate Blythe: Mary Kate Vail was born June 23, 1918 Kemp, Texas to Felix and Gladys Blythe and went to eternal rest with our Lord on January 13, 2015 in Grand Prairie, Texas. She graduated from East Texas State Teachers College in May of 1938 and married Marvin Thomas Vail on December 21, 1944. Except for the few years she worked for the Internal Revenue Service, Mary Kate taught school in both the Kemp area and Grand Prairie Schools. She and Marvin had one daughter, Kay Kizziar, and delighted in their two grandchildren, Michael Mills and Katie Kizziar. Michael gave his “Bemama” additional delight by marrying Jamie Peden Mills and having two exceptional great-grandchildren, Liam and Lila Mills. Katie continues the tradition of working with children at the Austin children’s museum, The Thinkery. Mary Kate was a member of the First Methodist Church of Grand Prairie for over sixty-five years. She was preceded in death by her parents Felix and Gladys Blythe, sister Johnnie Mae Williams and husband Marvin Vail. She is survived by her daughter Kay Kizziar, granddaughter Katie Kizziar, grandson Michael Mills, granddaughter-in-law Jamie Mills, great grandchildren Liam and Lila Mills, sister-in-law Dorothy Helen Reese, niece Alexis Montiel and her husband Sergio Montiel and their son Alex and the many people she touched in the classroom and on school campuses. Mary Kate is also survived by her best friend of over sixty years, Mary Jean Douthitt. Their friendship proves that friends become family. She loved all her family dearly. The family wishes to acknowledge and extend gratitude for the care, support and love extended to Mary Kate and the family by the PBH Colip House family of caregivers. She was surrounded by people who cared about her as they cared for her. They, too, are part of our family. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday January 15th from 6 to 8 pm at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home, 500 East Main, Grand Prairie, Texas. The funeral will be held at the Baker Chapel of the First Methodist Church Grand Prairie at 1 pm Friday January 16th. Interment will be at the Kemp Cemetery immediately following the services. The family requests donations to the First Methodist Church for the Baker Chapel in lieu of flowers.

Mary Kate Vail

June 23, 1918 - January 13, 2015