Mary Louise Nott

Mary Louise (Mary Lou) Nott was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Palmer and Gladys Kidd on February 13, 1928.  Mary Lou graduated from Port Arthur's Thomas Jefferson High School where one of her fondest memories was riding the Spirit Train in 1944 with her classmates to watch Thomas Jefferson beat Dallas Highland Park 20-7 for the State Championship in football. Shortly after WWII ended, Mary Lou graduated from High School and briefly studied Fashion and Design before marrying Barton Warren Nott, Jr. on March 8, 1947 after his duty was completed with the Marines.

In 1950, with two children in tow, Mary Lou and Barton moved to Harlingen where he had been commissioned a field officer for the IRS. Mary Lou then completed training with a business school where she received a certificate as a Senior Accountant. In 1956, Barton left the IRS and purchased a small bookkeeping and tax return practice, which evolved into Nott & Associates, PC, CPAs (currently Robert D. Nott, PC, CPA) where Mary Lou served as Senior Accountant and Office Manager for over 60 years.

Mary Lou had a strong personality and was outspoken on issues she was passionate about; especially as an advocate on women's rights. She was a Republican Party Precinct Chairwoman for decades and regularly met with Federal and State officials on issues and campaigns including numerous meetings with George HW Bush and John Tower.  She was a great lover of music and was a voracious reader.  When she could no longer pursue her love of travel, she often remarked that she would travel through her books.  From Alaska to Hawaii, the Caribbean, South America, Australia, Russia, Europe and all over the U.S., Mary Lou loved to not only travel but immerse herself as much as possible in other people's culture and beliefs. Her attitude was that if everything was scripted and nothing went wrong you were a tourist, not an adventurer.

Mary Lou was a woman of great faith in Christ (her favorite book being John as it emphasized Love). For decades, she was a director in the nursery and children's programs at First Baptist Church where her membership has been for over 70 years. Through all her hardships and loss, she never complained and never wavered in her Hope and Faith in Christ. She was especially proud of her family and bragged about her sons to any and all.  Generous of her time and energy, she was wise in offering council and a patient listener when council was not desired.

Mary Louise (Kidd) Nott died in her sleep May 4th, 2021.  She has been reunited with her husband (Barton, Jr. who passed in 2010) of 63 years with their Lord in Heaven.  She is survived by her sons, Michael D. Nott (Sherry) of Dale, Texas and Robert D. Nott (Debbie) of Harlingen; 7 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and her dearest friend in life for over 70 years, Violet Lang of Harlingen. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Palmer and Gladys Kidd; her sister, Margaret Pace of Port Arthur; her eldest son, Barton W. Nott, III; and daughter-in-law, Lynda A. (Haynes) Nott.

The Nott family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A memorial service celebrating Mary Louis' life and God's faithfulness will begin at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) or a charity of your choice.