Mary Ruth Harrell, age 77, passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer on February 15,
2023. She was born May 10, 1945 to Shirley and Paul Vaughan in Bryan, TX. Mary was
preceded in death by her husband Dick Harrell and her father Paul and mother Shirley.
Mary, affectionately known as “M.R.”, grew up in Katy, TX where she enjoyed a lively childhood
full of wonderful friends and family, graduating from Katy High School, and the Sam Houston
State University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education. She enjoyed a long career
teaching in Fort Bend county until retirement.
M.R.’s children consisted of her horses, dogs, and the occasional stray cat. Her passion for
horses and the cowgirl lifestyle originated at an early age. At 8 years old, her grandfather Luke
Senior would saddle her horse in the barn (still standing) at his ranch along side Bessie Creek
in Simonton, TX She was free to roam from there, her only boundary being the Brazos River,
and her only rule was “get back before sundown”. M.R. spent the last 40 years of her life in
Simonton encircled by a host of wonderful friends, riding her horses, caring for her dogs,
growing daylilies, and going to rodeos with her beloved husband, Dick.
During the last couple years of her battle with cancer she remained surrounded by her beloved
and loyal fiends and family. Among her wonderful friends were also a few special “Angels”. Ted
and Sheila Kasmerski, Amy Stilwell, and Jess Hawkins who can never be thanked enough for
their support and kindness. M.R. faced her final days showing no fear and never giving up the
fight like the true Texas cowgirl she was. As now the lone survivor from her Katy home, M.R.’s
brother, David, prays this obituary honors her life and the wonderful friends that were a part of
it. We will miss her dearly.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.