Obituary of Mary Ann Smothers McPhaul

Obituary of Mary Smothers McPhaul Mary Ann Smothers McPhaul was born on November 2, 1953 to Joseph Smothers, WWII veteran, and Lillian Malveaux Smothers, cafeteria worker, in Lafayette, Louisiana. On Ike-B Street, Mary Ann was raised with her siblings, Savanna, Ruth, Michael, David and a host of cousins and family members nearby. Mary Ann attended Paul Breaux High School, where she was a lively and popular cheerleader. In 1970, she was integrated to Lafayette High School where she became the first black cheerleader. Upon graduation from Lafayette High School in 1971, she started her higher education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Later she attended the University of Southern Louisiana (USL), and in the Fall of 1973, she crossed the Theta Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She would graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science in 1975. After graduation she would move to Dallas, TX to start her first job at Arco Oil and Gas. In Dallas, Mary quickly associated with a tight knit group of young professionals who have remained friends throughout the years. Arco is where Willis C. McPhaul and Mary Ann met and later married Thanksgiving weekend of 1977. In the fall of 1982, Mary Ann gave birth to her daughter, Victoria R. McPhaul. In 1984, she would give birth to her son, Nicholas C. McPhaul. While pregnant with her son she was diagnosed with breast cancer and immediately after giving birth, Mary underwent treatment and began her road to recovery. Mary Ann relished in being a soccer, football, track, basketball mom, and drill team seamstress, active member of Jack and Jill and active member of the PTA. In 1995, after retiring from Arco Oil and Gas she became the first black PTA President at J.H. Florence Elementary School. She was a second mother to her nieces, nephews and her children’s friends. Every fall, you could find Mary Ann cheering for her beloved Dallas Cowboys, she also enjoyed sewing, crafting, traveling, entertaining, cooking, and spoiling her adopted grandchildren. Mary Ann was always a source of wisdom and inspiration, she treated everyone she encountered as family. Her generosity and authenticity impacted others and made them want to live a productive life…especially children and young people. Once her children reached Middle School, Mary returned to corporate America as an IT Programmer for EDS, Sabre, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. In 2001, Mary Ann was diagnosed with her second bout of breast cancer. She never let cancer stop her from supporting her daughter through college nor her son during his senior year in high school. You could find Mary Ann in the stands shouting for her son at every football game; rain, sleet, or shine. As a two time breast cancer survivor Mary Ann joined the executive committee of the Sisters Network, A national breast cancer survivorship organization. As the membership chair Mary Ann dedicated her time to support other women battling breast cancer. In 2006 she began her career at Dallas County and was promoted until her most recent position as an Assistant Chief of IT Program Manager. In October of 2012 Mary Ann was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. For three years Mary Ann battled this complicated disease. On April 20, 2015 at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Mary Ann McPhaul succumbed to complications of congestive heart failure. She was surrounded by close family and friends. She is proceeded in death by her parents Joseph Smothers and Lillian Malveaux Smothers, sister Savannah Smothers Hopkins, and brothers Michael Smothers and Paul David Smothers. She leaves to carry on her legacy with her daughter Victoria R. McPhaul, son Nicholas C. McPhaul (Patti), stepsons Wesley C.McPhaul and Reginald C. McPhaul(Windy), sister Dr. Ruth Smothers, niece Tumeakia Smothers Murphy (Ryan), nephew Trent Smothers, best friend Karen Bowles and a host of relatives and friends.