Constance Mayes Dyer

Constance (Connie) Mayes Dyer ascended into Heaven on Thursday, October 2, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones in Houston, Texas. She was 88 years old. Connie was born October 9, 1936 in San Antonio, TX.

Connie spent her early years in San Antonio, where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1954. She proudly attended every reunion she could and kept lifelong friends after her days at Jefferson. Throughout her youth she danced and played piano, achieving great discipline in both. She continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin and in 1958 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geology. At the time, less than 5% of Geologists in the U.S. were women. This achievement would set the stage for Connie to break many barriers over her lifetime. She was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi sorority, which engrained in her what would become a lifetime dedicated to serving others.

Connie married Byron Fred Dyer, Jr., in 1959, and together they built a life infused with faith, family, and philanthropy. As a devoted partner, she supported his endeavors in the oil and gas industry, as well as his later work in banking. She began raising their children in Corpus Christi. Byron would soon be hired for a job in Houston, where the family would cement their roots for generations to come.

Over the years, Connie enjoyed many trips, especially those to Lakeway near Austin, the Palo Blanco ranch in South Texas, and to her favorite hideaway at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, NM. Whether it was a getaway across the Southwest with Byron or a big family Thanksgiving, she led a very fulfilled life through her travels. She loved taking in different cultures and learning whatever she could along the way.

Beyond her roles at home, Connie was committed to serving her community. As the years passed, she accepted more roles as a Board/Committee member for charities throughout Houston. In 1986, she joined the Assistance League of Houston, and served as President from 1996 to 1997, followed by a seven-year term as an emeritus board member of the Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM). She not only served as Board Member of Literacy Advance Houston, but she was also a tutor. Connie was a devoted member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, serving in the Stephen Ministry, and she gave back to her alma mater as a Life Member of The Texas Exes and as a member of the Advisory Council at the Jackson School of Geosciences. She always followed her desire to give back to others, whether it was with her time, expertise or through a simple donation.

A role of great importance to her came when served as the Advisory Council Co-Chair of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center from 2008. She was recognized as a Lifetime Member of the Board of Directors at The Houston Methodist Hospital in 2016. Starting in 1993, she was actively involved at the hospital, serving as Community Benefits Chair and Health Centers Board Vice Chair, among other committees throughout her tenure. A highlight of her Methodist Board tenure came in the early 2000’s when she served on the committee overseeing the hospital's separation from Baylor College of Medicine, which was a major event in the Texas Medical Center’s history. Her philanthropic presence touched countless lives, and she was always available to family and friends, offering her keen sense of knowledge and truth. Connie was also a longtime supporter of Texas Children’s Hospital. She was always very appreciative of the care they showed for her daughter Stephanie, who was lost to childhood leukemia in 1974 at only 8 years old.

Connie’s love of education and learning never left her. After Stephanie’s passing, she went back to school at Houston Baptist University to study Biology. She was no everyday housewife. She was incredibly smart and over the years she was constantly reading and adding to her worldly knowledge. Connie was also delighted in the fine arts. At home, she played piano beautifully (for many years accompanying her youngest son on his violin). She loved to collect art and was a longtime supporter of the Houston Symphony. She always had a symphony or opera playing in the car. She was honored to support The Houston Grand Opera as a Trustee from 1993 until her passing and loved using her season tickets to share the theater with her family. Her love for music, dance, and performance lives on through her granddaughters.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, her loyal husband, Byron Fred Dyer Jr. (1931-2020), her son Jeffrey Lane Dyer (1960-2019) who passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and her daughter, Stephanie Leigh Dyer (1965-1974) who suffered from leukemia. She is survived by: her daughter, Kelly Elaine Gabrisch (husband Mark Joseph Gabrisch), and her son, John Steven Dyer (wife Christina Gill Dyer). She is also survived by 8 grandchildren who knew her affectionately as “Mimi”: Blaine Gabrisch Mooring (husband Gage Harrison Mooring), Sheridan Leigh Gabrisch (husband Jake Andrew Miller) and Grayson Michelle Gabrisch, who are the children Of Kelly & Mark; Mackenzie LeighAnn Dyer (husband Truett Bloxsom), Byron Lane Dyer and Madison Elizabeth Dyer, who are the children Of Jeffrey; and Harrison Mayes Dyer and Georgia Grace Dyer, who are the children of John & Christina. Connie is also survived by two great grandchildren, Ryder Mooring and Rhodes Mooring, who are the children of Blaine and Gage.

A memorial service to celebrate Connie’s life will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM, in the sanctuary of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church (12955 Memorial Drive, Houston). Arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery. Dignity Memorial.

In place of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation - Attn. "The Jeffrey Lane Dyer Pancreatic Cancer Fund at The Houston Methodist Research Institute", P.O. Box 4384, Houston, TX 77210-4384; or to Texas Children's Hospital – Attn. "The Donald J Fernbach Hematology/Oncology Fund at Texas Children's Cancer Center, An Endowed Fund in Memory of Stephanie Dyer".

We give thanks for the many years Connie graced us with her love, strength, and wisdom. Her memory will forever remain in our hearts.