Mary Heaton

Mary Nell Orren Heaton

Mary Nell Orren Brubaker Heaton, 89, passed away Friday, December 16, 2011 in Austin, Texas.

Nell was born August 4, 1922 in Saltillo, Texas, the third of five children, to C. A. Orren and Monnie Mimi Valrie Orren. She grew up in east Texas and her family moved to Odessa in 1939. She graduated from Odessa High School at 16, in 1939. She worked for HendersonCollins Drugstore, The JoAnn Shop, and at the PX at Midland Airforce Base during the early forties. Nell and her cousin JoAnn, loved going to movies at the Ector Theatre.

She married Robert Brubaker, a bombardier on B17s, stationed at Midland Airforce Base, in 1944. Bob was killed in action over the Atlantic Ocean returning from duty in England in 1945. Brubie was the sweetest husband. After his death, a trip to visit his family in California, became an adventure in Nells little Ford with her cousin, JoAnn, across the Mojave Desert in August.

In December of 1947, she married a handsome, former POW of the Japanese in WWII, Curtis Heaton. Curtis was a local fellow who was Superintendant of the Ector County Health Dept. for 33 years. He preceded Nell in death December 7, 1977.

After marriage, Nell worked for Adams Studio where she did hand retouching on photograph negatives. She also filled in at the the Health Dept. when needed. She was a beautiful wife and mother who still loved the movies and good music. She left behind a treasure of well played 78 phonograph records and wonderful memories of dancing with Curtis, who she taught to dance, at the Ace of Clubs and many Christmas parties. She enjoyed playing bingo at the American Legion and a road trip to Mexico City in 1948 with Curtis and the Adams.

Most of Nells time was spent caring for her two girls, Curtis, and her mother Mim. Nell was a wonderful cook who passed down the recipes from her mother and Aunt Bet. Nell had a great sense of style. Playing dress up in her tiny, fancy shoes was a favorite of her daughters and their friends. Her motto was always, Less is more.. She loved the Mills Brothers, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, and later, Chris Isaak.

Nell was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings, Sonny Orren, Jim Orren, Sue Burns, and Oma Moore. She is survived by two daughters, Valrie Pool of Austin and Lisa Heaton of Odessa. She is also survived by her dear cousin, JoAnn Scott and many nieces and nephews who will miss their Aunt Nell. Her only grandchild, Lara Pool, is a fourth grade teacher in Breckinridge, Colorado. Lara will be married this summer and Gramma loved to talk about the wedding and what she would wear. We love her and miss her and we know she has the best seat in the house for the wedding.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 PM Monday, December 19, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Sunday, December 18, 2011
5 7 P.M.

Service

Graveside Services

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, December 19, 2011
2:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762