INNIS, Mary A. (Haigh)

Mary Ann Haigh Innis, 83, returned to her Lord on April 17, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Born January 7, 1928, the youngest of the Haigh Triplets, to Harry and Ethel Haigh of Durant, Oklahoma. She began her music career early in life when she and her brothers began dance and piano lessons and started entertaining the masses with piano trios, song and dance. She attended Durant Public Schools and graduated early to attend college, majoring in music. She received her BA in Music from Oklahoma College for Women in 1949, her Masters of Teaching from Southeastern State College in 1961, Orff certification from The Orff-Institut in Salzburg, Austria in 1977 and Pedagogy of Kodaly in 1983. Love of music being her life, she wanted everyone to know musical joy. She loved to teach all her "little stars" melody and harmony and any chance she had she would put on musical plays entertaining parents for over 30 years. She retired from HISD after 20 years, having taught most notably at Oak Forest Elementary, Durham Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary. She began her new career as a career fashion consultant at Casual Corners, where she took on her natural role of classic style and flair. She could and would turn anyone into the professional woman that she was. Between teaching voice and piano privately, Mary Ann, also, was the piano and organist to several area churches for over 30 years. She joined First United Methodist Church of Houston and became a loyal choir member, helping in any way she could. She loved to travel with the Sanctuary Choir to sing in Chorales all over the world. Her voice remained true, even in her last days, as she sang Ave Maria to all. She loved her children, Debbie and Judie, and relished her time with her grandchildren, John and Tiffany. Mary Ann is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judith and James Briscoe of Corpus Christi, TX; grandchildren, Tiffany Rodriguez of Houston, TX and John Bannister of Las Vegas, NV; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Nancy Haigh of Winterpark, FL; sister in law, Martha Haigh of Raleigh, NC; nieces and nephews, and multitudes of friends. Mary Ann is predeceased by father, Harry Haigh; mother, Ethel B Haigh; brothers, Harry and James Haigh; daughter, Deborah E. Bannister. Join us for a Celebration of Love, Life and Music on Wednesday, May 4th, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm at Heartland Healthcare, 13631 Ardfield Drive, Houston, TX 77070. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be made to Sanctuary Choir Woodward Funds in care of First United Methodist Church, 1320 Main Houston, TX 77002. Thank you to Heartland Healthcare and all of their wonderful staff, Sunset Hospice and Dr. Hanif and his staff. Special thanks to Tammy Perry, Mable Walker, Vanessa Laster and Barbara Smith for their loving and devoted service. Mary Ann was the epitome of style and class, the true Southern Woman, God-loving, courageous and brave. A true magnolia, she was a Haigh Woman. May we all learn to sing, her song.