Mary Lou House

Mary Lou House, age 90, passed from this life on November 28, 2025.

Services will be 10:00 AM Monday, December 1, 2025 at Carmichael-Whatley Canadian Chapel with Gary Jahnel officiating. Burial will be 1:30 PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery with Brother Ken Parlin officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

She was born on May 15, 1935, in San Angelo, Texas, to Carl and Gladys Lepard. Mary Lou grew up in Big Spring, Texas, where she treasured many wonderful friendships. She loved being a cheerleader for the Big Spring Steers and served as head cheerleader her senior year. She was known for her vivacious personality and was voted “class favorite”.

In 1953, Mary Lou became a “June Bride,” marrying the love of her life, Frank House, at the family home of Dr. and Mrs. E.H. Happel, Frank’s grandparents. They were married for 50 years until Frank preceded her in death on June 8, 2003. The couple resided in El Paso, Texas, while Frank served in the Air Force until 1955. They then moved to College Station, where Frank earned his Aeronautical Engineering degree in 1959.

Mary Lou and Frank made their home in the Fort Worth area for nearly 50 years, living in Crowley, Texas. Mary Lou was a loving wife and mother. Cheerfulness, happiness, and fun were a big part of her home. She wrote in her class reunion profile: “Our children and grandchildren have been the reward of our lives.”

Mary Lou was a stay-at-home mom until 1972, when she began working for the Tarrant County Tax Assessor’s Office. She worked there for 23 years, retiring in 1995. She and Frank enjoyed snow skiing at Crested Butte, Colorado, and entertaining their grandchildren. Upon retirement, they began RVing with friends across the United States, Western and Eastern Canada.

Mary Lou was a member of the First Baptist Church of Crowley, where she was active in Sunday School and kept the nursery until moving to Canadian in 2013. She lived on 7th Street, where she enjoyed her sweet neighbors and felt very blessed to have her friends in Canadian. The Lunch Bunch and playing cards were extra special to her. She joined Mesa View Assisted Living in 2019 and Senior Living in 2023. She loved spending time with her great-grandchildren. Mary Lou’s cheerful spirit, devotion to family, and love for life will be remembered by all who knew her.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Janet Landers and husband Paul of Lipscomb, Texas; her son, Alton House of Fort Worth; and her son, Robert House and wife Debbie of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She was blessed with two granddaughters, Jennifer Appel and husband John of Canadian, and Katy House of Ada, Ohio, as well as two grandsons, Hunter Landers and wife Erin of Midland, Texas, and Sam House and wife Christina of Dallas, Texas. She cherished her six great-grandchildren: Landry, Lilah, and Addie Appel, all of Canadian; Reid and Elisabeth Landers of Midland; and Ava House of Dallas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank; her brothers, Melton, Gene, and Leon Lepard; her niece, Bonnie Warren; and is also remembered by nieces Frances Cain and Mary Ann Floyd, and nephews Richard, Russell, and Robert Lepard.

Memorials may be made to Hemphill County Hospice.