WESLACO - Mary McAlpin, 98, was born December 22, 1923 on a farm in Cullman County, Alabama. She died July 29, 2022 at the Height's of Alamo Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Alamo, Texas.
In 1935, when she was 10 years old, she moved with her family of eight to Weslaco, TX.
She graduated in 1942 from Weslaco High School. The Actor, Pat Hingle was a classmate. Hingle is most known for his role in the TV series Batman and in some of the Gunsmoke TV series. On several occasions, when Mary had a layover in New York City, she would have dinner with her high school friend, Pat Hingle
In 1943, while working at the KRGV station, she got interested in American Airlines. She went to flight school in Dallas and then flew as a stewardess for 45 years. Flying was her passion. During her career, she flew nonstop trips coast to coast from NYC to Los Angeles, CA. She also flew Nixon's campaign tours, and flights carrying troops to the air bases for the Vietnam War. Her favorite trips were the many she flew to Paris, France.
Mary was a Christian and a Baptist. She was baptized in a creek, in Alabama, by her grandfather Rev. Brown, a Baptist minister.
Mary enjoyed both Country Western music and music from the nineties. She also enjoyed her many nieces and nephews. She liked to read with her kindle and keep up with world events.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Sarah & Jesse McAlpin of Weslaco, her brothers, Coyce McAlpin of Weslaco, Reece McAlpin of Plano, TX, & Jim McAlpin of Portland, Oregon & her sisters Sue McMann of Normal, Illinois and Jean Clark of Frederick, MD. She is survived by her sister, Dene McAuley of Youngsville, LA and her brother, Royce McAlpin of Weslaco, TX.
Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church, 600 S Kansas, Weslaco, TX. Arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home, 900 W. Fourth, Weslaco, TX.