Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Breckenridge, Texas, Mary Nell grew up in a hardworking family—her mother was a dedicated teacher, and her father was employed in oilfields. This instilled in her both a love for learning and a deep respect for the value of hard work. After graduating from Breckenridge High School, she pursued higher education at Texas Woman’s University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in English and Mathematics. She later went on to complete her Master of Science in Education at what is now Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Career in Education
Mary Nell’s teaching career spanned multiple states and several decades. She began by teaching sophomore English in Salina, Kansas, before moving on to teach 8th-grade math at Booker T. Washington Jr. High in Little Rock, Arkansas. Eventually settling in Texarkana, Texas, she joined the faculty at Texas High School, where she taught Algebra I and II, Pre-Calculus, and a variety of other math courses. Her dedication to her students and passion for education remained constant through every classroom and curriculum.
Involvement with TRTA
Since joining the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) in 2001, Mary Nell has remained a committed and active member. Her involvement includes serving in numerous leadership roles: Local President of Texarkana-Bowie County RTA, committee chair at various levels, and District 8 President for three years. At the state level, she has served on and chaired the Community Involvement Committee and has been a frequent presenter and delegate at TRTA state conventions and district conferences.
One of her fondest memories from TRTA service was visiting every chapter in her district while serving as District President. The opportunity to connect with and support local chapter members was a true highlight of her leadership.
A Passion for Advocacy
For Mary Nell, TRTA has been more than just a retirement organization, it has been a source of inspiration and empowerment. “Even though we are retired, we fight,” she says. “We fight for those still teaching, for those retired, and for the children in the Texas public school systems.”
Her passion for advocacy deepened through her involvement with the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF), the charitable arm of TRTA, where she served as President from 2019 to 2024. Currently, she serves on the “A Helping Hand”/Disaster Relief committee, which supports retirees in emergency situations. Whether helping with personal hardship or disaster assistance, Mary Nell finds purpose in giving back to those who dedicated their lives to education. She especially values TRTF’s work supporting active educators, whether by funding innovative classroom projects or helping new teachers get started.
A Joyful Retirement
Mary Nell currently balances her involvement with TRTA and TRTF with travel and precious time spent with family. “What a life!” she says. A life rooted in education, shaped by service, and enriched by a commitment to helping others, it’s a legacy that continues to grow through her work with TRTA and TRTF.
