Mary Bates Gil, 66, of Early passed away peacefully on March 28th, 2024 surrounded by her heartbroken children. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd at 10:00am at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas.
Mary Bates Gil was born on October 15th, 1957 in Bracketville, Texas to Olga Talamantez and Oran Bates. After experiencing a family tragedy at a young age, resulting in the loss of her mother and stepfather, Mary was forced to grow up fast. With only a Junior High education, she obtained her G.E.D. to allow herself the opportunity to get out into the workforce and provide for herself.
Mary fell in love with Robert Gil Sr. a few years later and together, they started a large family. Anyone who met Mary could immediately notice qualities within minutes that told you two things – she was an extremely hard worker and the best mother a child could ask for. In her case, the best mother that 10 children could ask for! Mary went on to raise all 10 of her kids alone and due to lack of any financial assistance as they grew up and her limited education, she worked multiple jobs simultaneously throughout the years to make ends meet. Mary’s culinary skills were legendary, she was exceptional with numbers, and many would say that she was the most unselfish human being to walk this Earth. Although she had plenty of mouths to feed, you could bet that there was always an extra around as she was a second mom to many of her children’s friends. Mary had a ridiculously contagious laugh with a great sense of humor to match that will be dearly missed- especially by her drama show sidekick and partner in crime, Chasity.
“A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take.”
– Cardinal Mermillod
Despite the struggles and obstacles, Mary managed to get all 10 of her kids through High School with most of them going on to continue their education and proving that a mother’s love is strong enough to get you through even the hardest times.
Mary is survived by two sisters, three brothers, many nieces and nephews, and her children, Robert Gil Jr. and spouse Patty, Chris Gil, Clara Gil, Jacob Gil and spouse Heather, Jennifer Byers and spouse Jonathan, Heather Gil and spouse Cecil, Cheyney Ortiz, Joseph Bates, Victoria Dixon and spouse Micheal, and Nicole Ortiz. Mary also lives on through her grandchildren; Skyler, Hailee, Chasity, Hannah, Madison, Katherine, Samantha, Analisa, Chelsea, Luna, Johnathan, Colter, Cayden, Eric, Ethan, Salvador, Caleb (CJ), David, Daniel, Gabriel, Ezekiel, David III (bubs), and Micheal (mj)
Mary was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Modesta Talamantez and Santiago Talamantez Jr; parents, Olga Talamantez and Oran Bates; sister, Crystal Bates; and daughter-in-law, Veronica Soliz.
Mary’s children would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at pecan Bayou in Brownwood and Kinder Hearts Hospice in Early for the care they provided to their precious Momma! She wasn’t on hospice for very long but the whole family was treated with such empathy and love in the most difficult time of their lives.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
