Mary Lance

Mary Mignon Simpson Lance, 74, from Rockwall, Texas was born on January 16, 1951 in Amarillo, Texas and died peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2025 surrounded by family. She was happily married to her best friend, Donnie Lance, for 57 years. She and Donnie raised two daughters, Mary Michelle and Christian Ann. She was grandmother to four grandchildren who were a bright light in her life.

Mary graduated from Amarillo High School in 1969, graduated from West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and a Physical Education Minor. She coached at St. Andrews Episcopal School in Amarillo, Texas the swimming and diving teams as well as other sports. In 1973, she and her husband Donnie moved to Midland, Texas where she began teaching at San Jacinto Jr. High as a physical education teacher and coach. In addition, she coached the high school girls and boys gymnastics team. Mary taught in the Midland ISD for 30 years where she coached volleyball, basketball, and track. Mary had a passion for the trampoline in which had as a part of her life for over 65 years. She loved all there was about trampoline gymnastics and prided herself as an expert.

Mary was well liked by many students over the years who remember her as a role model to follow. Former students also say she changed their lives forever because of her kindness, compassion, and love of teaching. She was a special person in so many ways. Her smile was infectious and her signature for life. She was always a positive, outgoing and upbeat person. She demonstrated this to her students, teachers, friends, and family.

Mary’s passion was her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, parents and siblings. She also never lost her love of competition, athletics, and sports, especially gymnastics. Mary loved to travel with her husband to many places such as Alaska, Washington, Mexico, Colorado, New Mexico, the East Coast, and especially to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Mary had the heart of a child and loved to have fun. In the gospel of Matthew she read that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. She had faith that God was with her always and she believed in her heart that God had a plan for her. Two of her favorite scriptures were from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 6:34 - Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble on it’s own.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

Mary lived her faith, she had a deep believe in the power of prayer, and she trusted God.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and brother. She is survived by her husband, Donnie Lance of Rockwall, Texas; two daughters, Mary Michelle Matsler and her husband, Jeff Matsler of Murrells Inlet, SC, and Christian Lance Schreiner and husband, Brent Schreiner of Fort Worth; four grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Matsler, Taylor Matsler, Matthew Schreiner, and Samuel Schreiner; one sister, Susan Gordon and husband, Rick Gordon of Lubbock, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Family and friends will be received beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Chapel, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76114.

Funeral Service: will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Chapel, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76114.

Burial: will follow at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Greenwood Memorial Park, 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, Texas.

If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to Heifer International.