Margaret Cryer

Maggie was born in Baytown, Texas, on April 12, 1952, and adopted as a newborn by her loving parents, William Montgomery “Gummy” Joseph and Beryl Williams Joseph of Cove, Texas. She loved her family deeply and throughout her life always felt a strong connection to her roots, the community, and her family land that she was born and raised on.

Maggie graduated from Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas as a member of the class of 1970. She was a powerhouse in basketball and even tried her hand at twirling.

Maggie went on to marry Larry Ray Cryer of Baytown, Texas in 1975 and they became very active in the community as well as entrepreneurs. They worked on several business ventures together including Cryer Construction Company. Maggie also became a reserve deputy for the Chambers County sheriff’s department. She was a jack of all trades and taught herself everything from accounting to carpentry. Some of her favorite pastimes were knitting, crocheting, quilting, and she loved the outdoors. She had a wonderful green thumb, enjoyed gardening and loved jarring figs for her family and friends.

Maggie and Larry welcomed their son Adam and daughter Kelly over the coming years. In 1985, Maggie was appointed to serve as Chambers County treasurer to fill a vacancy, then elected in 1988 to finish the term. She was then re-elected in 1990 and served another four years. One of her prized accomplishments was implementing the county’s first integrated computer system. At the end of her term, she decided to take a break from the workforce and devote all of her time to her children who were the center of her life.

After Adam and Kelly graduated high school and both went off to college at Rice University, Maggie went back to work. Her final stop was as the Associate Director for Management of Rice University’s prestigious James A. Baker Institute For Public Policy. She retired in 2006. It was a full circle moment, especially since she never obtained a college degree herself. Maggie was fearless. There was nothing she couldn’t do, and she always did it her way.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Larry Cryer; her son and daughter-in-law, Adam Cryer and Sarah Pope; daughter, Kelly Cryer; and cousins Charles T. “Butch” Joseph, III and Lee Neil Joseph.

Her family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Saturday, October 17, 2026, beginning at 12 Noon with a memorial service to follow at 1:00pm. Immediately after the service there will be fellowship and light refreshments in the reception room. In accordance with Maggie’s wishes, cremation has taken place; there will be no viewing or visitation.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to the Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 5735 S FM 565, Cove, Texas 77523

https://www.covefireandrescue.org/

Visitation will be held on October 17, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. A Memorial Service will take place at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, on October 17, 2026, at 1:00 pm.