Mary Ann Oliver

Mary Ann Oliver (née Maxwell), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and passionate Texas historian, passed peacefully on June 30th, 2025, at her home in New Braunfels, Texas, surrounded by her devoted family and close friends.

Born on February 15, 1945, in Llano, Texas, Mary Ann was the daughter of Kathleen Huson Maxwell and Roy Thomas Maxwell. She spent part of her early life in Mason and then Refugio before returning to Llano for her senior year, graduating from Llano High School in 1963. From her mother and her grandfather, Hobart Huson II — a respected Texas historian and attorney — she inherited a deep and enduring love for Texas history. Mary Ann has lovingly preserved and cared for his personal library, affectionately named “Dawgwood,” which houses thousands of volumes dedicated to the Lone Star State.

She went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a BBA in Marketing. Later, she received a Master’s degree in History from Trinity University and studied Spanish at Universidad de las Américas in Mexico. She was fluent in Spanish and used her language skills frequently in both education and travels.

Mary Ann’s and her husband, Leonard’s, love story began long before their first date. As a young boy just starting high school, Leonard first saw her photograph perched on the mantle of her great aunt’s home, where he was mowing the lawn as a summer job. He was captivated by her beauty. They went on to date and attend many dances together in high school. Years later, while she studied at the University of Texas and he served as a Russian linguist in the United States military, life took them on separate paths, but their hearts never strayed far from one another. They reunited and married in 1968 at Trinity University’s chapel, officiated by Father Tom White from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, beginning a lifetime of love, laughter, and shared purpose. Through every season, their devotion never wavered to each other, or their faith in God. Her deep faith has been a guiding force throughout her life, reflected in her more than 50 years of devoted membership at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. They built a life hand in hand---raising their three children, sharing deep conversations, finishing each other’s sentences, and facing life’s joys and challenges as true partners. Their marriage was not just a love story, but a living testament to patience, faith, and devotion. Once Leonard completed law school at St. Mary’s University in 1973, they purchased their first home. They lived in Terrell Hills on Burr Road for 51 years before relocating to New Braunfels in March 2025, and just recently celebrated their 57th anniversary.

Mary Ann devoted her professional life to education. She began as a history teacher and later taught English and math, helping countless students find confidence and success — especially those who struggled with standardized exams. Her creative, rigorous approach to instruction, particularly in writing and math, helped turn challenges into victories for her students. She also served as an Assistant Principal, Academic Dean, and Special Education Director, pouring countless hours into developing programs that made education more accessible and meaningful for all learners.

Beyond the classroom, Mary Ann was a genealogist and historian with extraordinary gifts. She was a lifelong and deeply involved member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), joining the Alamo Mission Chapter in 1964 while still a student at UT. She was a founding member of the Alamo Couriers Chapter in 2000, serving in numerous leadership roles, including President, Treasurer, Vice President, and Registrar. She also founded and led the Heart of Texas Chapter in Brady, Texas, and served as Registrar General at the state level. Mary Ann was especially gifted in helping others trace and document their lineage, and she treated every family story with reverence and care. She also served on the DRT Library Committee and spent many years as a docent at the Alamo.

Her deep pride in Texas was matched only by her love for her family. When her first grandchild was to be born outside of Texas, she lovingly packaged a spoonful of dirt from the Alamo, adorned with Texas flags, and lovingly transported it to the hospital in Oklahoma. The attending doctor (a Connecticut man), with good humor, placed it beneath the hospital bed — ensuring, as Mary Ann insisted, that her granddaughter would be born “over Texas soil.”

Mary Ann held a deep love for the culture, architecture, and layered history of San Antonio—a city that captured her heart and shaped her spirit. She was especially drawn to the Spanish and Mexican influences that gave the city its soul, from the missions and mercados, to the vibrant colors and celebrations—like her beloved, FIESTA. Her passion extended beyond Texas as she traveled many times through Mexico and Peru, immersing herself in history and traditions of Latin America. She adored Mexican textiles and folk art, and her home was a curated reflection of her tastes—filled with treasured finds, many in her favorite palette of blue and white. These pieces weren’t just decorations; they were stories, memories, and expressions of a life lived with curiosity, reverence, and joy.

In May 2024, she received one of the highest ceremonial honors in the State of Texas—Admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Greg Abbott. This prestigious recognition is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Texas history, culture, and community. The title carries no military command but symbolizes the highest respect from the state for one’s leadership, service, and dedication to Texas values. Being named an Admiral in the Texas Navy places her among a distinguished and limited group of honorees who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the spirit and legacy of Texas.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Leonard Lee Oliver, and their three children: Mary Ann Scott (James) of Bay City, Texas; Maxwell Oliver (Nancy) of Columbia, South Carolina; and Leonard Lee Oliver Jr. (Karen) of New Braunfels, Texas. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Caitlyn Rogers (Hunter), Hayden Scott, Regan Scott, Charleston “Charlie” Oliver, Leonard Oliver III, and Anne “Annie” Oliver. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, Kathleen and Roy Maxwell.

She also leaves behind many cherished friends and fellow members of the DRT, whom she considered part of her extended family. Mary Ann will be remembered for her brilliant mind, her generous heart, and her unwavering devotion to family, heritage, and the state she loved so deeply.

Visitation will be held on July 10th from 6-8 pm at Puente & Sons Funeral Chapel @ 14315 Judson Rd. Services will be held July 11th, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church in San Antonio, TX, with a light reception to follow. She will be laid to rest next to her mother at San Jose Burial Park. In lieu of flowers—wait, who are we kidding? My mom was basically a flower addict. So yes, absolutely send flowers. Make it look like Mother Nature threw a party and Mom was the guest of honor. If you aren’t the flowering type, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas’ Library fund; 810 San Marcos Street; Austin, TX 78702.