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Established 1948    Don D. Self 14 December 1924 - 14 September 2007 OS US Merchant Marine  Don was born in Olney, Texas, son of Robert Self and Ada King Self. He died at home in Sherman, Texas. He attended school in Olney and enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marines right out of school serving during World War II. On 29 November 1946 he married Miss Mary Jane Smith in New York City and they were blessed with 3 children. In 1951 he began a 36 year career with Texaco Pipe Lines, retiring in 1987. The family lived in several cities during his career with Texaco but moved back to Sherman following his retirement. Don enjoyed fishing and his motor boat. Woodworking was a favorite hobby, and he enjoyed drinking coffee at the Dairy Queen in Sherman where the discussion of politics was a normal subject. Most of all he was a devoted and loving family man who enjoyed all the times spent with family and good friends. He is survived by his wife, May Jane Self of Sherman; children, Don Self and his wife, Daphane, of Richardson; Rick Self and his wife, Elise, of McKinney; and Gerry Lamb and husband, Carl, of Rockwall, all in Texas; 2 brothers, Bob Self and wife, Sarah of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Jack Self and wife, Jan, of Portales, New Mexico; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Woods Street Church of Christ, Sherman. Jack Self, brother of Don and administrator of New Mexico Christian Children's Home in Portales, and Bill Mayes, minister of the church, officiated. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Waldo Funeral Home, Sherman.  Mary Jane Smith Self was born in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of George and Helen Baird Smith. She died at her home in Sherman, Texas. Mary lost her parents at a very young age and her oldest sister Margaret, assumed the role of mother. Mary met the love of her life, Don Self, and married him on April 29, 1946. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Don's parents' farm in Texas. Despite the distance, Mary and Margaret remained close until Margaret's death in April 2013. Her new Texas family including father and mother-in-law Robert and Ada Self, and brothers-in-law Bob Self and Jack Self, were forever changed by this young, spirited girl from New York. Mary became a full time homemaker and mother. She was an active and vocal fan on her children's sports teams and continued to love sports throughout her life. Most recently, she enjoyed watching the Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. Until her recent illness, Mary remained physically active and very spry for her age. She admonished her family and friends not to think "old" and she never did. She enjoyed Frank Sinatra music, old movies, dancing, her hot cup of tea each day and desserts. Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her 7 siblings; her husband; and her beloved son, Donald James Self, who passed away July 25, 2011. She is survived by Donald James' widow, Daphne, of Richardson; her daughter, Gerry Lamb and husband, Carl, of Rockwall, Texas; her son, Ricky Self and wife, Elise, of McKinney, Texas; 7 grandchildren - Scott Self and wife, Jenny; Heather Schultz and husband, Josh; Mark Lamb and wifem Sandy; Kelly Lamb; Cim O'Hanlon and husbandm Anthony; Michael Powell; Cheri Driscoll and husbandm Brian; 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her New York family: Margaret's daughters, Pat Vail and husband, Ray; and Mary Ellen Mattson and husband, Charlie, and their children and grandchildren; and nephew Dick Lack. A Rosary was recited by St. Mary's Catholic Parish, Deacon John LeBlanc. Funeral Mass was held Thursday morning, July 18, 2013 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sherman, Texas. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home at NMCCH.org. - - - Waldo Funeral Home  Cedarlawn Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |