Mary Lou Ivy-Winders

Mary Lou Ivy Winders, also known as “Nanny”, 84, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026. Mary Lou Payne was born on June 9, 1941, in Huntoon, Texas, to Alvin and Mary Frances Payne. She managed a local dry cleaners for the majority of her career and later retired from Ivy Insurance.

The family will receive guests on Monday, March 23,2026, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Arden Road Baptist Church, 6701 Arden Road. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens. 

Mary Lou was a faithful and active member of Arden Road Baptist Church, where she met Clyde Winders. Meeting him brought her so much love and happiness into her life. They shared 9 wonderful years together.

Nothing brought her more joy than the view from the bleachers, where she spent countless hours cheering on her sons and later her grandchildren. In addition to her love for her sons and grandchildren, Mary Lou enjoyed traveling to the mountains, shopping, and especially going to bingo with her longtime friend, Alice Gutierrez.

Mary Lou had a vibrant, ornery personality and never left anyone wondering what she was thinking; she spoke her mind honestly and boldly, yet loved deeply and wholeheartedly. Those who knew her often said she had a special gift for making everyone feel like her best friend.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husbands, Bill Ivy Sr., whom she married on October 30, 1965, and shared life with until June 15, 2001, and Clyde Winders, whom she married on October 9, 2009, until his passing on December 19, 2018; parents, Alvin & Mary Frances Payne; sons, Terry Don and Billy Glenn; siblings and spouses, Wimp & Frances Warden, Doris Green, Charles & Lois Pace, Clois & Alice Howell, Jack Payne, and Chuck Casida.

Mary Lou is survived by son, Jerry Ivy; stepdaughter, Elaine Moya and husband Frank; sisters, Helen Green and Jessie Casida; sister-in-law, Shirley Payne; sister-in-law, Sue Buescher and husband Wayne; brother-in-law, Mack Farr and wife Phyllis; grandchildren, Lane Ivy and wife Shannon, Brent Ivy, Jarrah Ivy, and Meagan Ivy; great grandchildren, Avery, Ridge, & Vienna Ivy; special nieces and nephews, Melinda Switzer, Michelle Norman, Jeramy Norman; daughter-in-laws, Joanie Stewart and Esmeralda Covey; and many other special nieces, nephews, and best friends.