Mary Jane Dawson Byrd
Mary Jane Dawson Byrd, age 80, of Houston passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 in Houston. She was born October 8, 1936 in Crockett, TX to parents, Oran “Dooley” Dawson and Mary Jane Keeland Dawson and graduated from Crockett High School.
Mary Jane was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity at SMU and The University of Texas at Austin where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She was a former member of First Baptist Church of Crockett, an active member of South Main Baptist Church of Houston where she was a volunteer and Sunday School Teacher and a member of the Houston Chi Omega Alumnae Association.
Mary Jane participated in the Tyler Rose Festival, was a member of the Houston Junior Forum and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Later in life, she was employed for many years by Marshall Field’s in their Fine China and Bridal Registry Department. In 1990, she received the Field’s Finest Award which included a trip to corporate headquarters in Chicago. Mary Jane was very involved in her children’s lives and volunteered in all of their activities. She enjoyed cooking, traveling, reading, bridge club, and church-related activities.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, William W. “Bill” Byrd; parents, Oran “Dooley” Dawson and Mary Jane Keeland Dawson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jewel W. Byrd and Lila Rhea Martin Byrd; brother-in-law, James M. Byrd; son-in-law, John M. Stephens; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her son, Robert Dawson Byrd and wife, Melinda of Houston; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Stephens of Houston; grandchildren, Lauren Byrd Bosse and husband, Kyle of Fort Worth, Kristen Byrd of Houston, Gilbert Oran Gomez III and fiancée, Heather Dawson of Katy; numerous other loving relatives and friends.
Graveside services for Mary Jane Dawson Byrd was held Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the Evergreen Memorial Park with Rev. Keeney Dickinson officiating. A memorial service will be held on a later date at South Main Baptist Church. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Treemont Healthcare Center and her caregiver, Kim Webster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002; First Baptist Church of Crockett, 801 East Goliad, Crockett, TX 75835 or Gladney Center For Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76132. Online condolences may be made at www.callawayallee.com
