Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Tyler Lutz Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Graveside Service for Mary Elizabeth Tyler Lutz, 89, of Alexander City will be Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Hillview Memorial Park in Alexander City. We ask that friends remain in their vehicles for the service. Rev. Steve Arnberg will officiate. Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, April 24, 2020 at her home. She was born on May 16, 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama to Cecil Hale Tyler and Frances Finetta Vann Tyler. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Alexander City. Known as Wife, Momma, Grandmary, Coach Lutz, and serving in many other roles such as mentor, teacher, and loyal friend, she had a lifetime of travel adventures with Red, family and friends to most of the states and several countries, both for fun and for mission work. She will be remembered for her faith, leadership, willingness to learn, positive attitude and quick-witted comments. Her family always kidded her as things had to be done “the Mary Lutz way” or not at all. Originally from Woodlawn in Birmingham, she spent most of her teenage years swimming and diving at Cascade Plunge. She met “Red,” her future husband, during a swim meet there. She later attended the University of Alabama, and re-met Red in one of her classes. They got married in their sophomore year while she was an Alabama Cheerleader and he was the football player. After college, she became a mom to Lee Ann and Bill and was a Physical Education teacher at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham. Later in her career, the family moved to Tuscaloosa and she was named Head of Girl’s Athletics at Holt High School. She was instrumental in the state’s advancement of women’s sports by starting a competitive volleyball team at the school promoting it throughout the state. She taught dance, archery, health, softball and orienteering. She loved mentoring and helping students achieve their potential and acquire self esteem, as she believed there was nothing that was unachievable if one was willing to work at it. She received her double Masters Degree at U of A and also served as an interim professor of Modern Dance at the University. Mary loved nature and fitness. Always the teacher, she could tell you the names of all the trees, native plants and any bird. During the summers, she and Red served as instructors on the waterfront at Camp Skyline in Mentone, teaching campers swimming, canoeing and water safety. Many of her colleagues at the camp remain lifelong friends and get together once or twice a year to share memories and spend quality time. An active Sunday School teacher for college students and a church leader for the Woman’s Missionary Union, Mary loved studying the Bible and sharing it with others. Her first question to anyone upon meeting them, was, “What church do you attend?” If the answer wasn’t clear, an invitation to her church followed. During the last several years of her progressing Alzheimer’s, she didn’t remember many things about everyday life, however, if she was at church, you would never have noticed her lack of memory. She knew the word of her Lord and Savior and quoted the Bible without hesitation. She was always generously sharing (things, time and knowledge). Truly, she cared for others more than for herself. She regularly delivered for Meals on Wheels and along with Pat, started a Bible study group in her neighborhood which is still meeting many years later. And chocolate — she loved it. She used to run 6 miles a day and reward the run with a fresh pan of homemade brownies. If you were lucky, she might let you lick the spoon. She was a Master Gardener and snow and water skier. The Grandchildren will always remember her for days-long Monopoly games which she ruthlessly won by owning all the utilities and railroads. Married for 69 years, she was a dedicated and loyal coach’s wife. Their love for each other was evident and envied. During her last years, Red and Mary would sit on the couch together with their pets, telling each other how much love they had for each other and conversed about their lifetime of memories. She is survived by her husband, Harold Edward "Red" Lutz; daughter, Lee Ann Lutz (Gregorio Andrade Gonzalez); son, William Edward Lutz (Teresa Thomas); grand son-in-law, Jeremias Andrade Huerta (Marisol Coria Muñoz); grandchildren, Kelly Francis Walsh (Laura McBane) of NY, Chelsea Jordan Lutz, Andrew Graham Walsh of NC, William Thomas Lutz (Jordan Jones) of Phenix City, Charley Nicole Lutz; great-grandchildren, Jones Preston Lutz of Phenix City and Jeremy Coria Andrade. She will also be missed by her nephews; Larry Tyler Parker, James David Parker, Richard Hale Parker (Fran Brunson); and niece, Diane Parker Griffith; extended family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Martha Jane Parker Galloway; nephews, Charles Steven Parker and William Lee Parker; and lifetime best friend, Patricia Ann Kelly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following places: First Baptist Church WMU Fund, Alabama Land Conservancy, Alzheimer’s Research, or an Alzheimer’s Care Unit of your choice. The family would like to share their appreciation to the staff members caring for Mary at Russell Medical Center Rehab and Alacare/Encompass Health Hospice. Mary was able to remain at home due to the compassionate support and love of family members, hospice nurses and special caregivers; Tara Buckner, Sherry Spivey and Mabel Smith — now family. All visitations and services will be held in compliance with the mandated rules from Alabama Dept of Public Health due to Covid-19.

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Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Tyler Lutz

May 16, 1930 - April 24, 2020