Mary Elizabeth Kisner

Mary Elizabeth Kisner
Mary Elizabeth Kisner

Mary Elizabeth Kisner, 95, of Amarillo, TX died Monday, June 21, 2021.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Fr. Tom Johnson of St. Mark’s Anglican Church officiating.  Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Mary was born July 10, 1925, in Memphis, TN to Francis and Mary Weatherly.  Following graduation from Amarillo High School, she earned an Associates Degree from Amarillo College, and her Bachelors and Master’s Degrees from West Texas State University.

She taught school at Dumas High School from 1970-79 and at Amarillo College for approximately twelve semesters. Mary also had a clerical career for several entities including the Amarillo Air Force base, and Bureau of Reclamation.

Her professional associations include National Council of Teachers, Poetry Society of Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mary enjoyed many hobbies, dancing, choreography, theatre work, gardening, needle work, cooking, genealogy, and many others.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerrel Travis Kisner, daughter, Jerry Lynn Kirkpatrick, and son, Jonathan Henry Kisner.

Survivors include her daughter, Mary Beth Kisner Griffin and husband Robert of Evanston, IL; son-in-law, Dr. James Kirkpatrick, of San Antonio, TX; and grandson, William Kirkpatrick, of San Antonio.

30 Replies to “Mary Elizabeth Kisner”

  1. Mary Beth,
    Just saw your mom’s obit and want you to know that I’m thinking of you and your family. I hope that your journey through this process brings peace, deep peace. Love and prayers.

  2. I am so sorry your mom is gone.I did not get news from her after my mom died who was Nettie Mae Shepard Kisner,your dads sister . Your uncle Jim Kisner is doing a family history and trying to find relatives I really loved your mom.

  3. Mary Beth
    I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I just saw the obituary. What a great life she had and touched so many people.
    Hope you are doing well my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    1. So glad to hear from you. Thank you for your well wishes. She did live a long life and she will be missed.

  4. She was a beautiful and very animated in her teaching. Many sympathies to the family.

  5. I was one of Mrs. Kisner’s students at Dumas High School. She was passionate about teaching, she brought Shakespeare to life. I remember thinking at the time that she would have been a good actress, she was very dramatic in her presentations. She was an unforgettable teacher. It was obvious she loved teaching English to her students. Class of 74.

  6. Mary was a wonderful neighbor and a great friend ! She will leave a large hole in my heart. Never will she be forgotten! Always will she be missed.

    1. Peggy, it is Mary Beth. I wanted to get over to you but it has been crazy. It was a long and slow process. I’m so glad you found out. I would come by but I have to clean out her room and head home Sunday. My husband is having some health issues. I hope you and your family are doing well.

    2. I will never forget your kindness to us when my sister passed. It has been a long journey to here. She is buried out at Llano with Daddy. Thank you for all you did for my mother.

  7. Mrs. Kismet was my favorite English teacher at DHS! She inspired the grammarian in me, which has stuck with me to this day! She was a lovely, exciting soul and I loved her dearly! God bless you and your family!

    Class of ‘76

    1. This is Mary Beth her daughter. This morning your flowers from the class of 76’ arrived. They were beautiful. She would have been so moved at your gesture. Her students were every thing to her. Teaching was her calling and the best time of her life. Thank all of you for your kindness.

    2. Her students meant the world to her and she would really appreciate your love of grammar.

  8. Mrs. Kisner made learning fun. Remember her dressing up as the witch while reading MacBeth. Loved here very much and may she RIP.

  9. I had Mrs Kisner in Dumas for English and I was also her teachers aid my Senior year. She was a great teacher. She will be missed. Prayers for her family

  10. I went from Grade school through High school with Mary Beth. I knew her family and her mother Mary Elizabeth was always so nice.

    1. Jade! Oh, my gosh. How in the world are you. It is Mary Beth. I remember you at Wilson School and all of your brothers and sisters. I live in Chicago now. How wonderful to find you.

  11. Ms Kisner was my high school English teacher. I remember her smile and reading bits of Macbeth to us.
    So sorry for your loss.

    1. She would be so happy you remember her. Teaching was her calling and she treasured every moment of it.

  12. Mrs. Kisner was my favorite English teacher at Dumas High School. She was hard, but she made learning such fun. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. She left the universe a more colorful place❤

    Class of ’76

  13. One of my favorite teachers of all time. The granmar and creative writing has helped me all of my life. I have silently thanked her so many times since High School. I just wish I had told her in person.

  14. Mrs. Kisner was my English teacher when I attended Dumas High School in the 70’s. She was the loveliest and one of the most motivating teachers I have ever had. She brought literature to life and showed me what an effective, gifted teacher was. I have been an English/reading teacher for middle school students for 32 years and I owe her for showing me what was important in a classroom as well as making it a fun place to learn. God speed, sweet lady…..

      1. She was a treasure herself. I just can’t stress how she helped shape the teacher I became. My deepest condolences in your grief…

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