Mary Cecilia Yager

After a life filled with love and caring for others, we are sad to announce the passing of Mary Cecilia (Johnson) Yager. Mary was born on June 11, 1943 in Houston, Texas, one of nine sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Emma Johnson. Mary was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Mary was a friend to everyone she met and found joy in helping others in any way she could. She greeted everyone with a magnificent and infectious smile and made everyone around her feel loved.

Beside her time at the University of Dallas, Mary lived in Houston her entire life. She was a long-time parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church where she married her husband of 58 years, Samuel Hugo Yager, Jr. in 1968 and educated all of her five children.

Mary ran a successful business with her sisters for over 16 years, specializing in aerial mapping, surveying and photogrammetric services. But what Mary loved most was spending time at their ranch with her husband and continuously growing family enjoying the Texas landscape. Mary had a passion for plants and flowers, especially roses and orchids. She was a Master Gardener through the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and a member of the Houston Bonsai Society.

Mary held firmly to the hope that, as those who die in Christ will one day rise with Him, she would be reunited with her beloved daughter, Karen Anne Yager, who preceded her in death. Mary is survived and already dearly missed by her husband, Sam, children - Holly Carter & husband Don; Sam Yager III & wife Jennifer; Nancy Barry & husband John; and Thomas Yager & wife Natashia, as well as grandchildren – Robert McCurry, Michele (Carter) Sanders & husband Michael, Thomas & fiancée Cassandra Kuzneski, and Elizabeth Carter; Lilly Yager; Emmalynn, Grace, Isabella, John Nicholas, Dylan and Luke Barry; and Catherine, Andrew and Dominic Yager; great grandchildren William Thomas Carter and a new baby she was so excited to know will arrive this summer.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10 at 5:00 pm with the rosary being prayed at 6:00 pm in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024, imploring our Blessed Mother, to whom Mary was so devoted, to usher her into the merciful and loving arms of Christ.

The Funeral Mass, where we commend Mary into eternal rest in the love of the Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056. The family will gather for a private interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the St. Michael’s Gabriel Project offering assistance and spiritual support to mothers in need.

“May Christ who called her take her to Himself and present her to God the most High. Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.”