Mary Lu Puckett

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Mary Lucile Puckett passed away in the early hours of Saturday, the 17th of October 2026, at the age of 88 in Brownsville, Texas.

Mary Lu was born Mary Lucile Link on April 27, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Valentine John Link, Jr. and Lucille Stillion Link. She was the older sister of two brothers, Valentine James Link and John Dennis Link. Mary Lu spent much of her childhood in Corpus Christi and attended Incarnate Word Academy of Corpus Christi, Texas; Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas; and Pan American University.

In 1965, Mary Lu married John Byron Puckett, Jr. of Brownsville, Texas and moved to Central America shortly thereafter. The couple returned to Brownsville in 1970 to begin their family, which grew to include two sons, John Byron Puckett IV and Andrew Link Puckett.

Mary Lu’s career as an educator spanned four decades during which time she taught at Bishop High School, Brownsville High School, Texas Southmost College, and the former University of Texas at Brownsville. A longtime educator of English Literature, she inspired and mentored many students who went on to become educators here in the Rio Grande Valley. She was a voracious reader. She was a scholar of Chaucer and Shakespeare, a reader of science fiction and romance novels, a student of Jung, and an admirer of southwestern art.

Mary Lu was a champion of women’s rights whose actions reflected her convictions. She embodied those ideas in her everyday life, maintaining her full-time career as a college professor while raising a family. She was independent-minded, intellectually curious, and entirely her own person. She was kind, loving, and believed in fair play.

She loved her family dearly. Holidays were treasured opportunities to bring her family and her brothers’ families together in Rockport, Houston, South Padre Island, or the Texas Hill Country.

Mary Lu is survived by her two sons, John Byron Puckett IV and Andrew Link Puckett; their wives, Julie and Mare; and her grandchildren, Margaret Taylor Puckett, John Byron Puckett V (Jack), Caroline Candice Puckett, and James Oliver Puckett. Mary Lu, Mom, Granny, Aunt Lu, will be remembered fondly.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, the 24th of October 2026, beginning at two o'clock in the afternoon, with a Celebration of Life service to begin at three o'clock Saturday afternoon within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. All services will conclude Saturday evening.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Mary Lu may be directed to the Moody Clinic (Contribution Link) or to the Good Neighbors Settlement House (Contribution Link).

Memories of Mary Lu may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.