Mary Claire Peden

Mary Claire Peden of Belton, Texas passed away this week at the age of 70. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved parents Beauford Connally Neal and Mary Janice Sinclair Neal. She is survived by her brother Mack Connally Neal and his wife Lisa of Austin, TX and daughters Valerie Bartek Welch (Chad) of West Lafayette, IN and Angela Bartek Day (Gregory) of Los Angeles. Mary leaves behind her grandchildren Cooper Connally Welch, Lincoln Mack Welch and Finley Bee Day.

Mary was a 1967 graduate of Temple High School and attended the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. She enjoyed a long career as a medical transcriptionist, starting in Dallas and then at Scott & White in Temple. Life took her to Utah, Arizona, West Texas, Colorado, Oregon and Houston, where she made many friends along the way.

Central Texas was always home, and Mary returned several years ago to enjoy retirement among family and lifelong friends. Mary had the love of Jesus in her heart and found her greatest joy in the church choir. She had many fond memories singing with her parents at Memorial Baptist in Temple, in her communities at Canyon Creek Baptist Temple, Ruch Community Church in Applegate, Oregon and most recently at First Baptist Belton.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church Belton on Saturday, June 29th at 10:00 a.m. The family will receive friends for visitation one hour prior to the service, beginning at 9:00 AM. Arrangements are made through Dossman Funeral Home of Belton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church Belton 506 North Main Street Belton, Texas 76513.