Mary Lee Ausley

Mary Lee Ausley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, died unexpectedly at age 93 on December 20, 2017 after a heart procedure. She was born on May 4, 1924 in Lubbock, Texas, the elder of two children, to Charles H. and Ora Lee Raymer. She grew up in Lubbock along with her younger brother, Heath, and graduated from Lubbock High School.

She married Thomas Franklin Ausley on January 24, 1942. Soon after the birth of their son, Tommy Lynn Ausley, in December 1942 in Lubbock, her husband Tom was deployed to Samoa in the South Pacific to serve in World War II. After Tom's return from WWII, their daughter, Ginger Sue, was born in Wichita Falls, Texas in October 1948.

Mary Lee was a devoted wife and mother of her two children and did not work outside the home until the 1970's when she went to work for the Texas Comptroller's office in Austin, Texas, retiring after 25 years of service. She was such a devoted state employee in the Franchise Tax Division that she often received gifts or flowers from clients for going the "extra mile" to help a business get the information they needed.

After her husband Tom died in April 1980, she began teaching the two-year olds at First United Methodist Church Austin, where she taught for many years. She is still lovingly remembered by many of those toddlers, now adults. Upon her retirement from teaching toddlers, she found a loving circle of faithful friends in the Downtowners Sunday School class.

Her great grandchildren will always remember her for her gift of presence - the weather, whether hot, cold, rain or shine, never kept her away from attending their many sporting events or school activities. In recent years, Mary Lee found new joy in her friends and the staff at Westminster Manor, never forgetting a face or name.

She is survived by her brother, Heath (Joyce) Raymer of Lubbock, her son Tom (Robbie) Ausley of Austin and daughter Ginger (Don) Stevens of Springdale, Arkansas; 7 grandchildren: Tom's children - Kelly Flores (Joe) of Austin, Greg (Jade) Ausley of Austin, Amy (Casey) Hodges of Missouri City, Texas, Amber (Kevin) Epps of Sugar Land, Texas and Ginger's children - Trae (Jenny) Mattison of Dallas, Tanner (Stephanie) Mattison of Lewisville, Texas, and Trent (April) Mattison of Lewisville, Texas; 19 great grandchildren: Jenae & Hunter Flores – Parker, Peyton, & Gralyn Ausley – Grace, Palmer, & Cole Hodges – Austin & Brandon Epps – Tucker, Tripp, & Reese Mattison – Kurtis, Konnor, & Kory King, & Laynie Mattison – McKinley & Reagan Mattison.

Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, December 27 from 5:00–7:00 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78705.

A memorial celebration of Mary Lee's life will be held on Thursday, December 28 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, Austin with a reception following at FUMC's Family Life Center. Parking is available in the parking garage at 13th & Lavaca.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, Austin, Texas, 78701 or the charity of your choice.