Rev. Mary Al Titus, 91, passed away October, 31, 2025, at Hester Care Center, Hutchinson, KS. She was born January 12, 1934, to Dr. A.E. and Helen (Smith) Rigor.
She graduated from Kinsley High School, Kinsley, KS, in 1952. Mary Al attended the University of Kansas for a semester before marrying Richard Lee Titus on January 30, 1954. They were stationed in Cape May, NJ, while he was in the US Coast Guard. They then moved to western Kansas to farm and ranch, where they raised their three children. She was an active member of the community while gardening, canning, and helping Richard farm.
They later moved to Leoti, KS, where Mary Al was a legal secretary for 12 years, later branching out into abstracting and selling oil and gas leases. While leading the youth group in her church, she was led to continue her education in religious studies at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS. She then earned her Master of Divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO. Upon her ordination, she then served as a United Methodist pastor for multiple congregations in western Kansas, including Jetmore- Hantson, Sublette, Great Bend, and as an associate pastor at Trinity UMC in Hutchinson, where she retired in 2004. She inspired her family, friends, and countless souls with her powerful messages and unwavering faith.
Mary Al’s adventurous spirit led her to travel the world (and save every map from every trip she ever took). She also adored family gatherings, puzzles and games, geology, archeological digs, art, museums, gardening, hiking, camping, music theatre, volunteering for everything, and was an avid reader of all genres.
Mary Al is survived by: her children, Deb (John) Nicholson of Silt, CO, Donna (Terry) Haines of Leoti, KS, and Danny (Lisa) Titus of Hays, KS; her cherished granddaughters, Erin Poole (John Witmer), Megan Haines (Thaddeus Brown Jr.), Halee (Alfredo) Aranda, Nicole Roeder, Morgan (Brock) Whitmore, and Audrey (Jordan) Wright. Among them, they blessed their beloved “Granny Hoot” with 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; ex-husband; and great-granddaughter, Hadley Rose Wright.
Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will take place Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Leoti Cemetery, Leoti, KS.
Friends may sign her memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary or leave messages for the family online at elliottmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Camp Lakeside in Scott City, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.