A graveside service for Mary Elaine Nall Bay, 74, was held on November 2, 2023, at Luke Tipton Cemetery in Itasca.
Mrs. Bay died on October 26, 2023 at her home in Lavon. She was born on November 16, 1948, in Dallas County, one of identical twin girls, to Jessie Darlene Pilcher and William Clem Nall.
She graduated from South Garland High School in 1967, obtained bachelor’s degrees in English and History from the University of North Texas and was awarded a Texas Teacher Certificate. She received a Master of Library Science degree from East Texas State University in Commerce and served as the librarian at Mineola High School, Rains Independent School District, and McNeil Elementary in McKinney. She authored several books on the history of Rains County and was an avid genealogist and researcher, mapping and documenting area cemeteries and helping others locate their loved ones and ancestors. She also volunteered at Chestnut Square Historic Village in downtown McKinney, contributing landscape design and gardening services.
Mrs. Bay is survived by her daughter, Carrie Annette Bay of Dallas; sons, Nathan Alan Bay of Wylie, and Jesse Aaron Bay and daughter-in-law, Gwénaëlle Bay; and granddaughter, Meredith Bay, all of Pessac, France; and twin sister, Patricia Ann Nall of Lavon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Vertis Ray Bay, Jr.; and nephew, Clayton Alan Martin.
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Bay asked that memorial donations be made to Chestnut Square (https://www.chestnutsquare.org/donate) or to the Disabled American Veterans (https://www.dav.org), in honor of her father.