The Reverend Mary Carolyn Self-Sager, passed away Sept. 9, 2016. She was born April 12, 1942 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Theodore Farley Self and Katie Belle Brown Self.
She graduated in 1960 from Ft. Smith Senior High School and attended Austin College in Sherman for two years prior to her marriage to Ronald Stevenson in 1962. She attended the University of Texas at Austin for one year and graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin with a B.L.S. in Adult Education and a minor in Criminal Justice.
Rev. Self- Sager also graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest with an M.Div. in 1987. She was ordained as a Lutheran Minister in 1990 and served in Richey and Lambert, Montana, Point Comfort and Tivoli. She was placed on disability in 1995 with multiple sclerosis.
She served in the law enforcement profession for seven and a half years. She was the first woman commissioned as a peace officer in the State of Arkansas. She also served at the University of Texas at Austin as a peace officer and sergeant.
Rev. Self-Sager served as Parish Administrator at St. Austin’s Roman Catholic Church for three and a half years. She also served as a substitute teacher later at St. Austin’s School in Austin. She also served on St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Council for three years.
She married Albert H. Sager on Feb. 14, 1999 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arneckeville.
She is survived by her son, John Christopher Stevenson and wife, Kelly; step-children, Edward Sager and Barbara Flessner; grandchildren, Lindsey Nicole Kelley Stevenson, Chelsea Ann Stevenson, Charles Michael Stevenson, Melanie Molnoskey (Chris), Rodney Flessner (Stephanie) and Randall Flessner (Melissa); great-grandchildren, Bryce Drake Stevenson, Dax Walker Stevenson, Zoe Lee Stevenson, Aaron Molnoskey, Kelly Molnoskey, Chad, Cody, Gavin and Korbin Flessner, Desirae and Alexis Flessner; great-great grandson, Ayden Flessner; brother, Norman Self (Sharon).
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and granddaughter Debbie Sager.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. with Funeral Services to begin at 11 a.m. with Pastor Sharon Wiggins officiating. Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Albert Edward Sager, Rodney Flessner, Randall Flessner, Charles Stevenson, Douglas Flessner and Riley Davison.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of South Texas and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
You may sign the guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com.
Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.