Mrs. Mary Wingate, 87, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas.

The Celebration Service for Mrs. Wingate will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Douglas Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (1370 Ewing Street -Beaumont, Texas 77701) with burial Service to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas. under the directions of Mercy Funeral Home. A Public Viewing for Mrs. Wingate will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m. at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel, A Memorial Service Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church and visitation on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Church.

Mary Mae Sinegal Wingate

Legacy of a Life Well Lived

Mary Sinegal Wingate was the daughter of Morris & Rebecca Broussard Sinegal. She was born January 2, 1936, in Ridge Louisiana, the oldest of three children. At an early age she moved to Beaumont, Texas and was a 1952 graduate of Hebert High School. To further her educational advancement, she attended Huston -Tillotson University & graduated in 1956. During her college period she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and was inducted December 21, 1953. While
continuing her education she served as Dean of Pledges of Delta Sigma Theta pledges, was a member of Huston-Tillotson Choir, and was elected Kappa Alpha Psi Sweetheart. After graduation from college, she began teaching at West Kirbyville High School.
During that time, she married the late Johnnie Wingate, Jr. in 1957 and was married for 47 years. With this union they were blessed with two loving children, J. Anthony & Sherri who she was very proud of.
She later joined South Park School District which later merged with Beaumont Independent School District. She worked in several of the schools, Blanchette, Hollywood, West Oakland & Price Elementary just to name and few. She then retired from Amelia Elementary School in 1993 with 35 years of service. Following Mary's retirement, she began to visit Austin Texas annually to participate in Huston-Tillotson's alumni graduation services and became secretary for the class of 1952 Alumni association. She worked diligently with her classmates and attended meetings regularly.
Jesus Christ was the center of Mary's life and was a lifelong member of Douglas Memorial CME Church. She was an active member of the Stewardess Board, Missionary Society, Sunday School Class, Bible Study, Dacus Circle, Trustee, Lay Council and served as Mass Choir president for several years. Mary was a lead fundraiser for their annual pecan sale and organizer of the Annual Choir Tea. She was Honored as Unsung Shero Honoree, Board of Christian Education, Mass Choir Fame Legacy Award, Woman of Honor Award, Lay Ministry Council Acknowledgement and family & friends Day award for years of Outstanding Service. She was grateful to be able to serve the Lord every moment of her life. She always said it gave her
joy working in the church, community and loving people.
She had two favorite scriptures Psalm 31:24- "Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 13:13- So now faith, hope, and love abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.
One of the highlights of Mary's life was being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority whose vision is Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and addressing the social issues of the time. All these qualities she exhibited every day of her life. She was a local chapter president, Golden Life Member and also played an integral part in many Delta events such as Delta Presents,
distributing Thanksgiving baskets for needed families, entertainment for senior citizens and Annual Toy Tea fundraiser event. Mary embodied the loving spirit and dynamic reality that reminds us of what it means to be a Delta. Characterized by the finest qualities of a wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, teacher, sister and friend. Because of all these attributes, she
received the Delta Sisterhood Award for Diamond and Deltas 75th Jubilee Award for Outstanding contributor to the success of Beaumont Alumnae Chapter.
She leaves to cherish her memory, son, J. Anthony Wingate and wife, Kim of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter, Sherri D. Blackwell and husband, Wilford of Beaumont, Texas; two grandsons, Quintin J. Blackwell of Dallas, Texas and Jeremy R. Blackwell of Ashburn, Virginia; A loyal and caring sister, Willie Mae Shaw of Beaumont, Texas; and a loving brother, Donald Ray Sinegal of Sugarland, Texas.
Also cherishing her memory are nieces, nephews, and a host of many loving family members and friends.