Mary Breed Chambliss

Born on May 21, 1929, in El Paso, Texas. Her early years were spent moving to Houston, Fort Worth, and Graham with her family before putting roots down in 1939 in Eliasville- a tiny town that no longer exists on the map.

Strong and resilient from the beginning, Mary was one of the first women to attend Rice University, where she met her first husband, Thomas A. Breed Jr. Together they built a family shaped by devotion and sacrifice, raising four children: Michael (Tom), Rollin, Bill, and Mary Ann.

Throughout her life, Mary’s love took tangible, hardworking form -sewing clothes for her family, stretching meals with creativity and care, and making sweets when she could. She worked at Fabric Factory Outlet before joyfully running her own antiquing business for nearly a decade. Later, she and Tom made a home in Washington-on-the-Brazos, where they lived until his passing in 1987. Upon returning to the Houston area, Mary began her long and heartfelt volunteer work with H.A.A.M., restoring dolls with the same tenderness she offered to everyone she loved.

Years later, Mary found companionship again with William “Bill” Chambliss. Together they made a warm, welcoming home in Kingwood, where the family gathered for holidays and ordinary days alike. Christmastime, her favorite season, was transformed by her touch: handmade ornaments, her beloved short Santa Claus, and dressers filled with cherished Christmas knick-knacks that cast a glow of wonder across the rooms she filled with love.

Her hands were rarely still. She sewed, crafted, and poured her heart into her grandchildren. In the evenings, she could be found on the right-hand side of the reclined couch with a book in hand, always ready to share candies, cookies, or ice cream-small gestures that made everyone feel at home.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her three children, Michael, Rollin (Debbie), and Mary Ann (Johnny); her grandchildren, Rhiannon, Nicole, Danielle, Michelle, Chase (Kapie), Travis, and Aly; and her eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Tom Breed, and second husband, Bill Chambliss, and her youngest son, Bill Breed.

Mary lived a long, generous life stitched together by family, faith, simple joys, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. Her love endures- steadfast, soft, and unforgettable- in the hearts of all who knew her.

A graveside service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery, located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, United States. The service is scheduled for December 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to the charity of your choice.