Mary Ann Colling

Mary Ann Fikes Rader Colling, 84, of Palestine, Texas, passed peacefully into the loving presence of our Lord on Sunday, August 30, 2026, surrounded by family, following a courageous and lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. Mary Ann lived a life centered on faith, family, and service to others. She had a compassionate heart and a remarkable ability to be there for those who needed her, whether a family member, patient, student, friend, or loved one. Giving of herself was not simply something she did; it was an essential part of who she was.

Mary Ann was born on January 12, 1942, in San Perlita, Texas, to Thomas Jefferson Fikes, Jr. and Ethel Beatrice Denmark Fikes. Growing up, she enjoyed basketball and volleyball and cheering on the pep squad. She also developed a wonderful sense of humor that remained with her throughout her life. Mary Ann loved to say that she graduated in the top ten of her high school class—usually waiting a moment before revealing that there were only six students in it.

After graduating from high school, Mary Ann moved to Seguin, where she lived for several years before relocating to Dallas. There, in 1965, mutual friends Bob and Mamie Jo Dunn introduced her to Lee Roy Rader. Mary Ann and Lee Roy were married on August 26, 1967. Together they built a home and family and shared 21 loving years of marriage until his passing on September 7, 1988, from metastatic lung cancer. In the spring of 1989, she was introduced to James H. "Jim" Colling through Jim's oldest son, Scott, and Mary Ann's nephew, Brian, who worked together at Golden Corral in Palestine. Mary Ann and Jim were married on September 1, 1989, and enjoyed 25 loving years together until his passing on January 11, 2015.

Mary Ann's compassion also led her to begin a career in nursing. At the age of 40, she enrolled in nursing school and earned her license as a Registered Nurse. She began her professional career at Anderson County Memorial Hospital in Palestine before joining Palestine ISD, where she eventually served as head nurse and oversaw the district's school nursing program.

Her love of service was rooted deeply in her Christian faith. A faithful member of Crockett Road Church of Christ, Mary Ann loved worship and especially loved to sing. Blessed with a beautiful voice, she could sing both alto and tenor. In her younger years, she shared that gift as a member of the a cappella ladies' quartet known as the Pitch Pipers.

As deeply as Mary Ann loved nursing and singing, nothing brought her greater happiness than her faith and family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were among the greatest blessings of her life. Known affectionately as "Oma" to her grandchildren, Mary Ann treasured every opportunity to be with them. She loved caring for them as infants, playing cards around the table, sharing stories, laughing together, and simply enjoying their company. The moments did not have to be extraordinary to be precious.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Jefferson Fikes, Jr. and Ethel Beatrice Denmark Fikes; her brothers, Finnis Denmark and Bill Fikes; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Denmark; and her husbands, Lee Roy Rader and James H. Colling.

She is survived by her five children: Scott Colling and wife Christine of Dallas; Michael Colling and wife Joanna of Renton, Washington; Annette Clay and husband James of Groesbeck; Doug Rader and wife Alison of Palestine; and Erin Johnson and husband Tom of Cedar Park. She is also survived by her eight beloved grandchildren: Amberly Fix and husband Joshua, Kimberly Vargas and husband Kevin, Hayden Colling, Kailey Colling, Molly Marquez and husband Kyler, Simon Johnson, Lily Rader, and Ronan Johnson; and five great-grandchildren: Kasen Vargas, Theodore Fix, Kallen Vargas, Kasten Vargas, and Ellie Jo Marquez. Mary Ann is also survived by her brother, Thomas Jefferson Fikes III and wife Mary Lou of Bryan, Texas; her sister, Emma Jane McDonald of St. Augustine, Florida; her sister-in-law, Barbara Abbinante of Mason, Ohio; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Rhone Funeral Home in Palestine.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Rhone Funeral Home, with Dan Manuel officiating. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Cobb Cemetery,1498 County Road 778, Groesbeck, Texas 76642.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Hayden Colling, Simon Johnson, Ronan Johnson, Kevin Vargas, Joshua Fix, and Kyler Marquez.

For those unable to attend the service, a livestream of the service will be available through the Rhone Funeral Home Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Give Me the Bible TV Program, in care of Crockett Road Church of Christ, P.O. Box 288, Palestine, Texas 75802, or to the Alzheimer's Association.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the many caregivers at Windermere at Cartmell-Memory Care, Legacy at Town Creek, and The Hospice of East Texas who walked alongside Mary Ann and her family during the final years of her life. She loved each of you as much as you loved her, and her family will always remember the kindness and compassion you showed her.

Funeral services for Mary Ann Colling are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. Please visit her online memorial tribute at www.rhonefuneralhome.com, where words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.