Mary Wynell Hager

Mary Wynell Hager, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher passed to her heavenly home on Sunday, May 26, 2024. Wynell is remembered for loving kindness, her sage advice, resilience in adversity, and her delicious southern cooking to name a few of her attributes.

She had a fierce love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Sharing funny stories about them, as well as celebrating their triumphs brought her great joy!  She especially loved attending high school graduations for her grandchildren and took great delight as they continued to learn and develop their passions for their careers.  Her happy place was being surrounded by her family, especially during the holidays.  She would cook delicious meals with the children surrounding her.  In recent years, it was a true gathering in her kitchen during these times to answer questions as she passed on her recipes and cooking style to her family.

Her love of children extended into her career as a beloved schoolteacher who taught school in Sunray, Texline and Spearman in the Texas Panhandle. She impressed on her children, grandchildren, and students the importance of education. She was the first in her family to attend college, earning her college degree while a mother of two young children. Her favorite moments in teaching were when a student grasped a concept, the light bulb of understanding flashed on, and the joy of accomplishment belonged to them.

Wynell was married to her love and life partner — husband, Herbert Hager, for over fifty years. Their love was characterized by little acts of kindness and service to each other. Wynell often expressed gratitude for Herb’s cooking breakfast, his runs to the grocery store, and hard work in the garden. She thanked the Lord for bringing such special people into her life:  her husband, her children and grandchildren, family, and the friends she kept near and dear throughout her life.

Wynell is preceded in death by her son Michael Duane Hager, her first husband William “Bill” Aaron James and her parents Mattie and Frank Keith, Leoda Burkhalter of AL, and Faye Spencer of Colgate, OK.  She is survived by her husband Herbert Hager, her sons Aaron James of Mobile, AL, David James (Joanne) of Hooper, UT, and her daughter Andie Stafford (John) of Austin, TX, her six grandchildren and their spouses and her three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Lake Ridge Chapel, Lubbock, TX May 31 6-8:00pm.  Graveside services will be held at Texhoma Cemetery, Texhoma, OK, June 1 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hansford County EMS, Hansford County Fire Department or Hansford County Hospice in her honor. Special thanks to her incredible medical team and nurses at University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX, D’Nicia and Jody at Crown Point and her caregivers at Wedgewood South in Lubbock.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Mary Wynell Hager, please visit our Tribute Store.