Mary Ruth Underbrink El-Hakam

Mary Ruth Underbrink El-Hakam, 81, of Sugar Land, Texas passed away on February 4, 2025. Mary Ruth was born on September 18, 1943 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Beatrice Johnson Underbrink and Urban Louis Underbrink. Mary grew up in the small town of Charco, Texas and graduated from Goliad High School. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin where she received her B.A. in 1965. After graduation, Mary taught high school English and Spanish. After moving to Houston, she met and married the love of her life, Bakri Moustapha El-Hakam in 1971. Mary and Bakri began raising their four children in Houston, moving to Sugar Land in 1990. Mary was an exceptional homemaker and the Vice President of Middle East Equipment Company, an export business she owned with her husband. Mary was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, niece, aunt, and friend. Mary’s greatest joy came from opening her home and heart to family and friends. She masterfully blended her Texas roots with her husband’s Lebanese heritage, becoming known for her exceptional Lebanese cuisine, warm hospitality, loving and generous nature, and humorous spirit. She enjoyed traveling the world, taking family vacations, cooking, watching Western movies, reading mystery novels, learning and speaking different languages, including Arabic, and dancing. She especially loved dancing with Bakri at Lebanese restaurants and at the countless family weddings they attended as their family grew. Above all, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren, whose presence and accomplishments brought her endless delight. Mary is survived by her loving husband of over 53 years, Bakri El-Hakam of Sugar Land, Texas; her sister Nellie Mae Barnes of Lincoln, Maine; her son Moustapha El-Hakam (Rebekah) of Bellaire, Texas; and her three daughters, Leila El-Hakam (Matias Adrogue) of Houston, Texas, Beatrice Schreiber (Brad) of Valencia, California, and Amira Love (Christopher) of Sugar Land, Texas. Her legacy lives on through her 13 beloved grandchildren, Athena, Bakri, Matias, Maddux, Mason, Gabriel, Cesar, Trinity, Leeland, Johnny, Bobby, Starla and Jimmie. She also leaves behind numerous cherished extended family and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Beatrice and Urban Underbrink, and her brothers Urban L. Underbrink and Robert L. Underbrink. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mary’s life at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel. She will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Expressions of remembrance and condolences are welcome and may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd. (Hwy 59 South @ FM 2218), Rosenberg, Texas 77471, Phone: 281-341-8800.

Tributes

Mary Ruth Underbrink El-Hakam

September 18, 1943 - February 4, 2025