Mary Susan Ghrist, 75, of Tampa, Florida, died Sunday, September 14, 2014, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont. A native of Marianna, Florida, she was born to Willie and George Elmore on June 24, 1939, and would have two grandsons and a great-grandson share the same birthday in June. She served in the United States Air Force and retired from civil service employment after a long and distinguished career. At age 70, Mary decided she had retired too early and returned to civil service working for the Department of Homeland Security in Tampa.

Survivors include her three children, George Ghrist and his wife, Andrea, of Stafford, Virginia; daughter, Debbie Hallam and her husband, Michael, of Lumberton, Texas; and son Joe Ghrist of Round Rock, Texas; sister, Carolyn Rowell of Lake Alfred, Florida; brother, Joe Elmore of South Carolina; nine grandchildren, Chad Ghrist of Portland, Oregon; Jennifer Martinez and her husband, Bryan, of San Antonio, Texas; Kimberly Wells of Cabot, Arkansas; Brittany Ghrist of Cabot, Arkansas; Ayla Ghrist of Stafford, Virginia; Kerby Hallam and his wife, Jessica, of League City, Texas; Stacey Hallam of Huntsville, Texas; Avery Hallam of College Station, Texas; and Jordan Ghrist of San Marcos, Texas; and seven great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and older sister, Virginia Cochran.

A gathering of Mary’s family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 2014, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. Interment will follow at Hardin Memorial Park, Silsbee.