Mary Jane Parsons Mahaffey entered this world on September 26, 1951, to parents Marilea Boles Parsons and Billy Parsons, in Pecos, Texas. She departed this world on January 25, 2022, at the age of 70, in Katy, Texas.

July 19, 1969, she married the love of her life, Floyd Harold Mahaffey, and went on to have two children, Jennifer in 1972 and Michael in 1975. “Till death do we part” was true for Mary Jane and Floyd, who were married for 35 years before Floyd preceded her in death, December 21, 2004. She remained faithful to Floyd the remainder of her days.

February 25, 1992, she became a grandmother to Gary Anthony Hammers, Jr., or T.J. to those who are close to him, which was the nickname she gave him when she said, “I’m not calling him Tony, Jr.” and it stuck. She and Floyd doted on their grandson and spoiled him rotten. (Well, she had to try to temper that a very little, as Floyd REALLY spoiled him.) After losing his Papa, Amma really became his rock. Their bond led T.J. to “Mother Hen” her a lot as he grew older, which she took in stride. She really encouraged him in his music career, from teaching guitar to making his own music.

She was a fantastic and loving mother who supported her children in their lives, dreams, loves, and visions. When things were hard, she was always there to help ease the pain and provide enough love and encouragement to help us keep putting one foot in front of another until things got better. She was happy to brag about Michael’s business and accomplishments and to encourage Jennifer’s artistic ambitions. Mary Jane loved to spend time with her family and create new memories such as a trip to Galveston with Michael for Mother’s Day and the Eagles concert with Jennifer. It didn’t really matter, as long as she got to spend time with her children.

Mary Jane Parsons was one of five siblings: her, Claude, Jeanie, Marilyn, and William. She and William (Billy) and Marilyn (Mare) took a road trip together through New Mexico, Nevada, and California that she loved. She got to see the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and all the California delights. They would also have trips in the big state of Texas, from a beach house rental to a hill county get away. Thanksgivings were at Billy’s in Midland every year, and he’d come to Houston for Christmas after Floyd passed. Her sister Jeanie and brother Claude (Shorty) preceded her in death, but their children and grandchildren were common guests at Thanksgiving. She lost them both to cancer and was a long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society. Mary Jane touched so

Mary Jane touched so many people in her life, from friends and family to her students and their families. She was proud to be a special needs teacher and advocate for her kids. She graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a concentration in Special Education, and made the dean’s list. She truly loved “her kids” and they loved her. She worked for Wallis-Orchard ISD from 1989 to 1998 and Sealy ISD from 1998 to 2016 when she retired. She was awarded Teacher of The Year in 2005. Her love of special ed started in Waller ISD, where she was an aide in a special ed class and found her calling. She made a mark on her kids, but they made a huge mark on her. She loved them with all her heart and she gave her all to make their worlds a better place. She taught kids from kindergarten to age 21. It was difficult to see them go, but she knew she had given them her all.

She loved animals and had very close relationships with animals all her life. There were so many it’s difficult to count, but her most recent was Bolder, her cat she rescued from Sealy High School, and Lacy, her dog she and Floyd found wandering up at Lake Sommerville. They both lived long happy lives. Her latest acquisition, a large ginger cat named Teddy, is still residing with Jennifer and T.J.

Mary Jane was also an avid gardener, crafter, and jewelry maker. She loved working in her backyard, and when she wasn’t she was working on jewelry or crafts. She loved to keep busy making beautiful things and repurposing things to give them a new life. Her backyard was her sanctuary, where she could watch the wildlife and enjoy nature. She would alternate between enjoying watching the squirrels play, and laughing at them sliding down the bird feeder pole when she would grease it with Crisco because they kept stealing the bird seed.

She is survived by her two children, Michael and Jennifer, her grandson T.J., her brother William, her sister Marilyn, and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchild. She also leaves behind her dear friends and partners in crime, Suzann Toelke and Romey Campos, as well as several other acquisitions from those friendships.

We will have her Celebration of Life on May 21, 2022, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Cimarron Clubhouse, 818 ½ Pickford Dr, Katy, Texas, 77450. Refreshments and beverages will be provided. She loved butterflies, dragonflies, and all things in nature, so a butterfly release will be done at 3 p.m. There will be a memory table set up for special memories to be shared with the family, so, please, if you have a special memory to share or photos, bring them so we can share what an amazing person she was with each other.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to either The American Cancer Society, The Special Olympics or the ASPCA.