Mary Gay Sanders Rulla was born on September 11, 1937 to Sidney Reuben Sanders and Alta Loreta Dennis Sanders in Baird, Texas.  In 1942, Gay moved with her family to Abilene.  She graduated from Abilene High School in 1956 where she was a member of the Acapella Choir and volleyball team.

On June 5, 1955, Gay married Calvin Clan Hancock.  They moved to Midland in 1957 where they raised their three children.  Gay attended the University of Texas Permian Basin and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.  She was employed with J.W. Humbard and Associates and later became manager of Midland Energy Library.  She married Lorin J. Rulla in Midland on April 29, 1990.  After Lorin’s death in 2009, she retired and moved to Lake Brownwood, which she referred to as “my little piece of heaven”.  She loved working in the yard, tending to her plants and birds, carving gourds and being doted on by her youngest son, Greg.

Those left behind to treasure Gay’s memory are her children, Judy Hancock Mitchell and husband, Royce of Midland, Terry Hancock and wife, Carren of Bangs, Gregory Hancock of Lake Brownwood, and Stacie Lynn Chacon of Midland; her grandchildren include Melissa Howard Lofton of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Benjamin Howard and wife, Katey of Midland, Megan Mitchell Clark and husband, Coby of Dallas, Jeremiah Mitchell of New York City, Will Hancock of Midland, Haley Hancock of Spokane, Washington, Chandler Hancock of Bangs, and Anthony Michael Floyd of Midland; her great grandchildren, Hickson Howard and Leyla Floyd; and her brother, Jack Sanders and wife, Betty of Texarkana.  Gay was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Lorin.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Brownwood at Gay’s home.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.  Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home.  Friends may sign the guestbook at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.