Mary Louise Hayes Ashby, 84, of Cedar Lane, passed away peacefully August 9, 2026. She is now present with our Lord and Savior.

Mary was born on August 6, 1942 in Diboll, Texas, to the late Elbert and Ellie Riley Hayes. She graduated from Pineland High School in Pineland, Texas.

After high school, Mary moved to Crosby to live with her brother and began working at Hilliard’s Restaurant, where she met the love of her life, Charles. After a brief courtship, they were married on September 16, 1960, at Second Baptist Church in Cloverleaf.

Mary worked for a number of years for Sears Roebuck and Company before joining Charles in the family business, Ashby’s Grocery in Cedar Lane. She remained a part of the family business until her retirement.

Mary will always be remembered for her love to crochet, read, drink coffee, play card games, visit with friends, love and spoil grandkids and great grands. She was a longtime member of Cedar Lane Baptist Church and the Eastern Star.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles Ashby; grandson Robert Ashby; brothers James and Lee Hayes; sister Gloria Wise; and son-in-law Mike Barker.

She is survived by her son, Joel Ashby; daughter, Alicia Barker; bonus son, Chuck Ashby; grandchildren, Mitch Barker, Laura Nason (Michael) and Brian Ashby; and great grandchildren Victoria, Gunner, Gage, Grant and Harland.

The family will receive friends and family from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 14, 2026 at Cedar Lane Baptist Church with Rev. John Price officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

Pallbearers will be Mitch Barker, Raymond Brooker, Chad Cryer, Roger Dement, Turner Jay and Clifton Spoon.

The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to the wonderful people at The Fountains and Matagorda Nursing Center for their love, compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Cedar Lane Baptist Church in Mary’s memory.

Mary leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, friendship, laughter and love. She taught those around her to do right, be good people, love their family, and most importantly, to know and to follow the Lord.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by all who knew and loved her.