Mary Lee Minor was born June 6, 1928, in Grimes County, to Veola "Big Daddy" and Julie Wiley Farris. She was the oldest of 6 children.

Mary accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. She became a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. She later moved her membership to Midway Baptist Church where she was a faithful servant until her passing.

In 1947, Mary married the love of her life Lloyd Minor, and to this union 12 children were born.

Mary worked for The Red Onion and the Kettle restaurants for many years as a cook. When she retired, she helped to raise her grandchildren. Her passion was to make home cooked meals for her family and she passed along many words of wisdom that will never be forgotten.

Mary was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Horace (Iesia), Simon, Betty, Ruthie (Dave), Clara (Richard), Mary Grace (Kenneth), Mandy (Jimmy), Sandra, Kathy (Reginald), Francis (James), Leonard (Erica), Tracy (Linzy); sister: Clara Butler, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.