Mary Ola “Skeet” Anderson, of Corral Theatre and Rocky River Ranch, passes away
Beloved sister and aunt, story-teller and star-gazer, protector of nature, and leader of young women, Mary Ola “Skeet” Anderson died on January 5, 2024, at her home in Wimberley, Tx with family at her side. Ms. Anderson was born June 17, 1926, in Lamesa, Texas, to Edwin Palmer Anderson and Margaret Alma Moore Anderson.
Her parents, brothers James William Anderson, Lee Don Anderson, and sister Alma Ruth Anderson Morgan preceded her in death. Ms.
Anderson is survived by her youngest sister, Palmer June Anderson Wallace, of San Antonio, as well as nieces and nephews and great and great-great nieces and nephews, among whom are her beloved caregiver nieces Rue and Katelyn Hatfield.
Throughout her younger life, she could most often be found following her two older brothers, whether it was into the sorghum mill and cotton fields, up the windmill to watch baptisms in the tank below, and eventually into the US Navy. Upon graduating in 1948, with a major in elementary education and a minor in speech from Texas Tech in Lubbock, Ms. Anderson started her professional Girl Scout career as a counselor in the first of several camps; teaching fire-building for camp cooking, sleeping in tents, swimming in a lake, and sharing the experiences with the young campers.
She wrote of herself, “It only took a couple of days in Girl Scout camp to realize that I was in the exact place I wanted to be and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
In 1949, while Field Director for the Caprock Girl Scout Council Mary led a Mariner Girl Scout Troop. She visited a Naval Recruitment Office seeking materials for the troop—for ropes and knot-tying. “The recruiter,” Ms. Anderson writes, “was so convincing about the benefits of becoming a commissioned officer in the US Navy, that, in the spring of 1952, I was sworn in as a Lieutenant Junior Grade.” She served for two years at the Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, before returning to Lubbock as Girl Scout Field Director and Camp Las Leonitas Director.
One of Ms. Anderson’s most remarkable accomplishments was to secure and develop a parcel of the Bridwell Ranch near Crosbyton, Texas, for the new Camp Rio Blanco for Girl Scouts, opening in 1959, under her direction.
Ms. Anderson’s devotion to Scouting and her interest in natural history were acknowledged with a position on the National Girl Scout Archaeological Trip Camp near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Eastern Arizona, and Mesa Verde, Colorado.
Through her camping connections and friendship with Carol “Mama” Knolk, Mary came to Rocky River Ranch, a camp for girls in Wimberley. She later purchased the camp she loved and she could be found for more than five decades, helping to lead and create an environment in which girls could cultivate friendships; learn about nature, arts, water sports; singing camp songs; and, with the guidance of long time friend and co-owner Sandra Bateman, enjoy a rich horseback riding experience.
She not only loved to teach others, but had a constant curiosity and desire to learn. She once told her great-niece, who asked how she knew about skipping rocks, the name of every plant, the perfect prank, creating stained glass, raising Pomeranians, raccoons, hedgehogs, and various pets, riding a motorcycle, computers & the latest technology, astronomy and so much more, “I figured if I knew a little bit... about a whole lot, it would be enough to get by in this life.” Though she was a jack of all trades, she mastered being a mentor and friend to countless young women and men who were inspired by Mary’s ability to illuminate the natural world to her campers, her family, and to the community. M a r y “ Skeet” Anderson’s loving kindness and generosity to her communities will continue to be a powerful legacy.
Wimberley residents will remember seeing her every weekend at the front gate of her walk-in movie theatre, The Corral Theatre. She encouraged other small Wimberley businesses, and participated in many community events like the 4th of July parades.
Even after retirement, Ms. Anderson remained active in Wimberley community life, enjoying sharing information (and probably stories) in the Wimberley Visitor Center. The family would like to thank Circle of Friends for giving her a weekly “day camp” experience to sing, craft, and enjoy socializing again in her last few years.
Funeral services will be held at Thomason Funeral Home in Wimberley, Saturday, January 13, at 2:00 pm, followed by a brief family graveside service at the Wimberley, Cemetery and a reception at Rocky River Ranch.