Mary Elizabeth McCrady

Mary Elizabeth McDougald was born March 14, 1931, in Thorp Spring, TX to R.B. and Delana Davidson McDougald, who both attended Thorp Spring Christian College and grandparents T.A. and Mary Davidson who owned a general store in Florence, TX. R.B. was a minister, and Delana was a high school teacher and principal.

Mary moved with her family to Beaumont, TX in the 1930’s, where Mary spent her early years and attended South Park High School where she graduated in 1949. She was voted most beautiful her senior year and met her high school sweetheart J.D. McCrady. The caption under her graduation photo stated, “Her air had meaning; her movement, a grace.”

She loved beautiful clothes and worked at the White House, a local clothing store, in Beaumont. She was a seamstress and made many of her own clothes, special gowns and her wedding dress. She received a degree in business at Lamar College in Beaumont. J.D. wrote her weekly love letters while courting long distance. She married J.D. September 8, 1951, while he was a student at TAMU. He wore a tie with bird dogs on it at their reception as a sign of things to come. They were married 72 years until his passing in March 2023. They had 3 children: David, Diane and Darla. J.D. was a professor emeritus at TAMU Veterinary College, and they were an integral part of the A&M Church of Christ and the Brazos Valley community.

Mary had a wonderful husband, mother, grandfather, uncle, cousins, grandchildren, family and friends that loved her and influenced her life in a positive way. Her children loved her dearly. She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She spent her life in service to family, church and community with unselfish joy. She worked at TAMU as a secretary and in the Registrar’s office while J.D. completed his undergraduate degrees.

She served her church as a nursery coordinator, on the food committee delivering food to the sick, Sonshine school committee for children, & raised funds with cookbooks put together by the Ladies’ Bible class using their personal recipes to name a few. She also served as president of the TAMU Veterinary Wive’s Association.

She loved being involved with J.D.’s hobbies of hunting, fishing and sports and family activities as she supported his military and veterinary career. J.D. was an avid quail hunter and she learned to prepare quail in many different ways.

She was a dedicated wife, mom and friend with a kind, compassionate heart. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their pictures and time with them brought her great joy & happiness.

We are blessed that Mary was able to celebrate her 94th birthday with a party in March surrounded by the love of friends and family.

We lift our hearts to God to bring peace, comfort and guidance to Mary as she completes her journey to her heavenly home. She blessed those whose lives she touched. Her prayers were for all family to love and respect one another and be pleasing to God. She will always have a special place in our hearts!

You will never find a better friend than your mother. Respect & cherish her, because one day she will be gone & no one will ever take her place.

She is survived by her loving children James David McCrady Jr. of College Station, TX, Diane McCrady of College Station, TX and Darla McCrady of College Station, TX, grandchildren Jamie Allison McCrady of College Station, TX, Julie O’Neal and husband, Jesse Jardine of Houston, TX and great grandchildren Jude, Heidi and Nolan of Houston, TX. She is also survived by her cousins Diana Lynn Humphrey of Houston, TX, Myra Kent, Katie Kent Carter, and Jim Kent of Tyler, TX, Jan Armstrong of Midlothian, TX and their families. She is also survived by J.D.’s brother and wife, Richard and Jean McCrady of Brownsboro, AL.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband J.D. McCrady, her parents, grandparents, and brother.

In Lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed in Mary & J.D. McCrady’s name to A&M Church of Christ Sonshine School in College Station, TX.

Services are pending at this time.

David notes in Psalm 131:2 that a mother’s love has the ability to bring peace to the heart of her child. His peace, like that of a contented child came from his Lord.

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.