Mary Bartlett Davis

Mary's infectiously positive spirit, vigor for life, and love of laughter were special beyond measure. Sometimes a prankster, Mary might have instigated short-sheeting the beds of every kid during annual beach trips. Her love for family and lifelong friends were an example to all.

A proud fifth generation Texan, whose ancestors came to central Texas in the early 1800s, Mary spent many summers of her childhood visiting grandparents and relatives in Fredericksburg and San Antonio. She attended Beaumont High School and St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio and thereafter studied chemistry at the University of Mississippi at Oxford.

Returning to Beaumont, she began her family and became involved in many community activities, including the Junior League, Spindletop Charity Horse Show, the Southeast Texas Arts Council, Rotary Club, and the Symphony Of Southeast Texas. Mary directed the restoration of the Jefferson Theatre in the mid-1970's. She was also an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, along with her grandparents, parents and her children.

After a career raising children and a second career in the senior care industry, Mary retired to Austin and began her 3rd career in gardening, cooking and spoiling grandchildren.

An ever-doting grandmother who fostered a sense of wonder with new experiences, GrandMary took her grandpeople on an array of interesting adventures, from dancing at Crider's to rattlesnake roundups to the theater in New York City. She never missed school performances or sports games. Sometimes GrandMary dressed in 2 coats and multiple blankets to cheer from the icy bleachers in the middle of winter.

She loved her friends in the Fleur de League garden club and took the courses necessary to achieve Master Gardner. Mary was also known as the "the food fairy," baking and delivering meals and cookies to her local fire station, postal delivery person, veterinarian, doctor and dentist.

Mary is survived by her brother, Col. James Bartlett and his wife Sally, of Kerrville, Texas; and sister Katherine Harlan, of Falls Church, Virginia. She is also survived by her children, Deborah Boughton and her husband Steve, of Katy, Texas; Holland Young and his wife Helen, of Austin, Texas; and Elizabeth Rice and her husband William, of Austin, Texas. Mary also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Bartlett Boughton, John Boughton, William Rice Jr., and Andrew Rice, as well as godchildren and innumerable friends.

A Memorial Service for Mary will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, June 23, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Austin.

If attending the service, please consider dressing in bright colors to celebrate Mary's bright life.

In lieu of flowers, Mary requests a donation be sent to Hospice Austin or Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Austin.

As we've all said and heard many times, we hope to be like GrandMary when we grow up!