Mary Lou Appel

Mary Lou Appel, age 80, passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011, at her home in Brenham, Texas. She was the loving wife of former Brenham Mayor Robert Appel, Jr., who preceded her in death in 2006.

Mary Lou was born on March 11, 1931 in Independence, Texas. She was the only child of Harvey and Georgia McCrocklin Gibson. She attended Independence School, and graduated from Somerville High School in 1947. She attended Blinn College and was Night Homecoming Queen. She worked for the Telephone Company before becoming a homemaker. She was a descendant of Judge John P. Coles, who was one of Stephen F. Austin’s original 300 colonists in Texas.

Mary Lou was baptized at Independence Baptist Church in 1947. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church since 1954. Mary Lou met her future husband, Robert “Buster” Appel in an Accounting class at Blinn College. They were married on May 4, 1952.

Mary Lou was an artist, genealogy researcher, and lifelong Republican. She served on numerous community boards including Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Brenham Heritage Museum, Republican Club of Washington County, and Washington County Historical Commission. She was also a member of “Austin’s Old 300.”

An infant daughter, Jeanne, preceded her in death in 1972.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Luanne Appel Coles, son-in-law Martin Coles, and four grandchildren, Andrew Austin, Grace Emily, Anna Beth, and Caroline Rose Coles, who lovingly called her “Nanny.”

Visitation will be on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at Brenham Memorial Chapel, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be on Sunday, November 20, 2011, at First Baptist Church at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Gregg Appel, Jeff Appel, Eddie Bob Jaeger, Cecil Stephenson, Nathan Steen, and Greg Rybarski. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Griffith, Gerald Weir, Leon Thiel, and members of the Republican Club.

Memorials may be given to Brenham Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 1122, Brenham, TX 77834 and True Blue Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 1107, Brenham, TX 77833.

Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 979-836-3611. To send condolences online visit www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com