Mary was born in Clarendon, Texas and as a youngster moved with her family to Lubbock, Texas. While in school, Mary met the love of her life, Bill J. Whitworth. When she was 16, Mary graduated early from high school and received her parents’ permission to marry Bill.
While Bill served in the Navy during WWII, the newlyweds lived in San Diego, California, where their son Bill Jr. was born. After their service, the young family moved back to Lubbock, Texas for Bill Sr. to finish his mechanical engineering degree.
After graduating from Texas Tech, Bill Sr. accepted an offer from Hughes Tool Company in Houston, Texas. The family moved to the Houston area where they resided for many years.
Mary and Bill were fortunate to travel to several countries in their 67 years of marriage, but their all-time favorite destination was the Pacific Northwest and any National Park.
Wanting to be closer to their family, they made a wise decision to move to Austin, Texas in the early 2000s. Mary was a natural caregiver and guided Bill Sr. for more than a decade before he passed away in 2007. The caregiving continued with taking care of her daughter, Donna, who passed away in 2025 – one year and one day before Mary passed away.
Mary was a homemaker, the very best homemade Divinity candy maker, a talented seamstress, and an avid Astros fan...never missing watching them win or lose. A true, tough West Texas Gal with a heart of gold, Mary was a devout Christian, appreciative of every day, and her bible always beside her bed.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband Bill J. Whitworth Sr., daughter Donna Jean Whitworth and two brothers and a sister. She is survived by her son Bill J. Whitworth Jr. and his wife Susan of The Hills, Texas; Grandchildren Regina and Blaine Ralston of LaPorte, Texas and Bill the 3rd and Cara Moore Whitworth of League City, Texas; Maxine Sanders, of Alvin, Texas, the mother of Mary's grandchildren; Great-grandchildren, Taylor Ralston and Jennifer Morgan, Lauren and Andrew Ruesch, and Kendra and CJ Gavranovic; Great-great granddaughter, Lorraine Gavranovic; Sister-In Law JoAnn Cornelius, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews who loved their Aunt Mary.
Mary was the matriarch of our family. Oh, what a life well lived.
The family will be providing flowers for the service, so in lieu of flowers or customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to:
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas
1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd.
Austin Texas 78723
Please designate for the Ronald McDonald House Rooms at Texas Children's Hospital, North Austin.
or
Ronald McDonald House of Greater Houston
1907 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77030
Please designate for the Ronald McDonald House Lounges throughout Texas Children's Hospital.
Or a Charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 7, 2026, at 1:30 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, Texas 78734.
Immediately following the celebration of life, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent foyer.
