Mary Lou (French) Colley, 92, of Highland, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2026, surrounded by friends and family at Homestead Assisted Living in Hiawatha, Kansas.
Mary Lou was born on September 20, 1933, in Sparks, Kansas, to Edgar and Blanche (Jenkins) French. She spent her entire life rooted in the Highland area, where she built a legacy of faith, family, and service that touched generations.
She married the love of her life, William Everett Colley Jr., who preceded her in death in 2005. Together they shared nearly five decades of marriage. Mary Lou was known by many names Mother, Mom, Momma, Grandma Mary Lou, Granny, and Grams but every name reflected the same unwavering love and devotion she poured into her family.
She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Kay Simpson (Mike) and Tamara Gay Peters (Mike); her grandchildren, Tamara Jayne Miller (Jerred), Callee Mae Winder (Jonathan), Cody William Peters (Courtney), and Kip Michael Peters (Kimberly); her great-grandchildren, Cal, Cam, Chace, Case, Hunter, Emma, Levi, and Mason; her beloved great-granddog, Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Everett Colley Jr.; her parents, Edgar and Blanche French; her brother and sister: William French and Kay Lynn Stahl, and sister-in-law, Betty French; and her great-grandsons, Chance Edward Miller and Cai William Miller.
Mary Lou was a proud farmer’s wife and a lifelong educator. She began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Bellevue District 14 in the early 1950s before continuing her work in education at Highland Schools, where she served as a junior high teacher and later as a librarian.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, she had the rare privilege of teaching multiple generations of the same families an honor she cherished deeply. She was an active member of numerous professional and educational organizations and was widely respected for her dedication to students, literacy, and lifelong learning. After retiring, she was able to stay connected with community friends and former students by helping at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. Another career she enjoyed and excelled at from arranging pictures, flowers to even driving the hearse.
Above all else, Mary Lou loved her family fiercely and lived out her faith daily. She was a devout follower of Jesus Christ and a longtime member of Highland Christian Church, where she served faithfully and quietly.
Her love language was food making it, sharing it, and using it to bring people together. No one ever left her home hungry.
She was her grandchildren’s biggest supporter, rarely missing a ballgame, school program, or important milestone. Whether cheering from the stands or welcoming everyone home with a meal, Mary Lou made sure her family always felt seen, supported, and loved.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Highland Christian Church. Celebration of her eternal life will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Highland Christian Church, with Pastor Bob Nusser and Tony French officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Christian Church Building and Grounds Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.
Mary Lou will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on through the generations she raised, taught, and loved so well.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Saturday.
