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Mary Lee Valentine was born on November 1, 1938, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, to Henry Turner McDade and Flora Madelia Floyd McDade.As a young girl, Mary Lee lived west of Wildorado at the Durrett place. She attended school in Wildorado through the fifth grade and often fondly recalled playing on the merry-go-round at the old Wildorado school. Years later, her own children, Randy and Sandy, would enjoy that same merry-go-round. When she was in the sixth grade her family moved to Lamar, CO for her father's work with Harry Elam. Her childhood was filled with adventures, from riding horses across the countryside to encountering the many rattlesnakes that were part of life on the Texas Panhandle and Colorado.

During her junior year of high school, her family returned to Wildorado, and she completed her junior and senior years at Vega High School, graduating in 1956. It was there in Vega, around 1955, that she met the love of her life, Jimmy Valentine. The two were married on July 27, 1956, in the old Wildorado Methodist Church. Following the ceremony, family and friends gathered for a reception at the home of Dee and Doris McDade.

Jimmy and Mary Lee began their married life together in a little white house in Wildorado, located across from the Roark family. As they often joked, nearly everyone in Wildorado had lived in that little house at one time or another. They later moved to Bushland, where their son, Randy, was born, and remained there for five years. In 1957, Jimmy's father purchased nine acres and built a home there, generously giving Jimmy and Mary Lee one acre on which to build their own house. In 1962, they completed their home, financing it through an FHA loan at an incredible four percent interest. Determined to make their dream a reality, they even omitted the master bathroom from the original plans, saving $800 in construction costs. By the time their daughter, Sandy, was born, the family had returned to Wildorado and brought her home to the house that would become the center of countless family memories.

Mary Lee and Jimmy especially enjoyed camping and traveling with dear friends. They were the first among their group to purchase a camper, soon followed by Jacque and Sonny, and later Roy and Marita joined in their adventures. Together they spent many happy days in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, gathering around campfires, fishing, sharing stories, and enjoying one another's company. Some of their fondest memories were made while cooking the fish they had caught and preparing delicious cobblers in cast-iron pots over an open fire.

Throughout their married life, Jimmy and Mary Lee were faithful members of St. Stephen Church in Amarillo, where they formed many treasured friendships and lived out their faith alongside their church family.

Mary Lee was a gracious hostess who found great joy in opening her home to family and friends. Whether gathering around the table for lively canasta games or preparing beautiful holiday lunches and dinners, she took immense pride in creating a warm and welcoming home. An exceptional cook and baker, she became especially known for her homemade divinity, rich fudge, and delicious cakes that family members eagerly anticipated. No gathering was complete without Mary Lee enjoying one of her favorite simple pleasures—a cold Coca-Cola.

Above all else, Mary Lee cherished her family. She delighted in watching her family grow through the years, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with them, celebrate milestones, and create lasting memories together. Her love, warmth, and devotion to her family will remain a lasting legacy for generations to come.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert McDade, and her husband Jimmy in 2020.

Mary Lee is survived by her son Randy Valentine and wife Lesa of Wildorado; her daughter Sandy Richardson and husband Keith of Amarilllo; her brother Wlater McDade of Spearman; her grandchildren, Kimmi McCarrell of Amarillo, Nicki Lamb and husband Bob of Canyon, Vanessa Carroll and husband Heston also of Canyon, Chance Valentine and wife Dacia of Fritch, Seth Richardson and wife Kelsey of Sunnyvale, Abby Richardson of Amarillo; and Faith Gowdy and husband Evan of Austin; and seventeen great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Palo Duro Cemetery, WIldorado, Texas 79098