Ada Mary Kaeppel

Known as Oma to her family, Mary was born in McAllen, Texas on March 9, 1938, the first of three children born to Henry Grady Guest and Madrid Cook Guest. She spent her early childhood years in Jackson, Mississippi, and the family later settled in Houston, Texas, where she spent most of her life.

There, she married Christopher Albert Kaeppel and shared 45 happy years until his passing in 2003. Mary was a very devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She served as the Bridal Registrar at Marshall Fields for many years and had a deep appreciation of beautiful china patterns. An avid tennis player in her younger years, she loved to be outdoors, traveling and gardening (she loved her roses!), and later loved to play Mahjong with her friends. She was an excellent needlepointer and loved to read and going to the Houston Symphony. She had a beautiful smile and a great laugh!

She was a lifetime member of the Episcopal church, where she developed a strong following of faith and some amazing friendships. Most of all, she loved time spent with her family. She spent the last few years of her life in the care of her loving daughter Christy Kaeppel Day and son in-law Kevin Day and their family in Hickory, North Carolina.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Madrid Guest, husband Christopher Kaeppel, daughter Michelle Kaeppel Wolfer and sister Gloria Reynolds.

She is survived by her children Christin Kaeppel Day and Colin Kaeppel, son-in-law Kevin Day and daughter-in-law Catherine Colangelo, and grandchildren Zachary and Nicholas Brumbaugh, Jason Karahan, Travis Day, and Julia Kaeppel.

She will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her sweetness, charm and her caring nature, and dearly missed by her family.

A Memorial Service will be held on October 9, 2026 at 10:00am at The Episcopal Church of The Ascension.

Online condolences may be left at www.drumfh-hickory.com

Drum Funeral Home in Hickory is honored to be assisting the Kaeppel family.