Mary Alice Tidwell

Mary Alice Tidwell Mary Alice Tidwell, of Midland, went to be with our Heavenly Father on February 4, 2017. The family will receive guests from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Fairmont Park Church of Christ in Midland. Mary Alice was born on April 16, 1924 in Quanah, Texas to M. Anthony and Ella (Taylor) Tidwell. She grew up there until her freshman year of high school when they moved to Brownfield. After high school, Mary Alice attended Abilene Christian University on scholarship, where she was studying music. She was home from school the weekend Pearl Harbor was attacked, and didn’t return to college until after the war. She worked for the National Youth Program during the day, and the movie theater at night. She worked her way up from cashier to projectionist. Then in 1943, she moved to Midland and became the projectionist at the local theater. Mary Alice worked for Production Credit Association for two and a half years. She then worked for General Tires Rubber Company, in the accounting department, for three years while attending Odessa College at night, as an accountant major. She graduated in 1959 from Odessa College. Mary Alice began her accounting career with Conly, Peters and Green in 1961, and became a Certified Public Accountant in October 1965 – certificate number 7094. She became a partner in the early 70s when the firm merged with Elmer Fox Westheimer & Co. She was the second woman partner, following Lillie Mae Stovall. Mary Alice left the firm in 1979, going with Tipperary, and then re-entered public accounting with her own firm, Johnson and Tidwell. Then in 1992, she merged with Morris Holmquest & Co. where she remained until her death. Mary Alice was a member of Fairmont Park Church of Christ, and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. She served as secretary for the Permian Basin Chapter of CPA’s in 1973, as well as being a member of the AICPA, TSCPA, and PBTSCPA. In 2016, Mary Alice was awarded the Honorary Fellowship from the Texas Society of CPAs for 50 years of service. Her other memberships included Altrusa Club International, Civil Air Patrol (as major), Commemorative Air Force, High Sky Wing of CAF, Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, Airport Advisory & Development Board, Casa de Amigo Board of Directors, Midland Christian School Board of Trustees for 17 years, and director on Midland Business and Estate Council. Mary Alice was a licensed private pilot, owned, and flew her plane for 25 years. She was also a huge Rockhounds fan. The only time she missed a home game was due to illness, but still followed the game on the radio. She is survived by her cousins Bruce and Lawanda Monk of Lovelady, Texas; Robert and Mona Taylor of Georgetown; William and Randy Gamel of Oklahoma City, OK; her caregiver, Elizabeth “Betty” Williams; her office family of Morris Holmquest Tidwell & Company; and her church family of Fairmont Park Church of Christ, and her pets, Cha Cha and Cee Cee. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Abilene Christian University-1600 Campus Ct., Abilene, TX 79601; Lone Star Sanctuary for Animals-4200 N. Fairgrounds Rd., Midland, TX 79705; or a charity of your choosing. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,