Mary Katherine Denard McFeron Putty
Mary K. Denard McFeron Putty, 87, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, June 24 th , 2023, at her place of residence in Austin, Texas.
Mary was born on Christmas Eve in 1935 to James M. and Ruth Koop Denard in Edna, Texas. Mary graduated from Edna High School in 1954 with honors. Most will remember her as a beautiful drum majorette and the 1953 Jackson County Fair Queen.
On September 4, 1955, Mary married the love of her life, Cpt. Ernest McFeron of La Ward Texas. Ernie’s military service took them to far away states such as Maryland and North Dakota.
After their first child, Mary Michelle McFeron(D) was born in Ganado, Texas, they moved to Maryland where their second child, Michael Scott McFeron was born at Bethesda Naval Hospital. While stationed in Minot, North Dakota, Ernie and Mary welcomed Marc Wesley and Mitchell Weston (Wes) into their family. Mary was a loving and dutiful military wife and mother.
When Ernie left for his Vietnam tour, Mary and the children moved to San Antonio to be near her sisters Dorothy and Sue. In May of 1965, their love story was interrupted with the death of her beloved Ernie in service to our county.
Mary and the children remained in San Antonio where she worked as a professional secretary until her marriage to William B. Putty (D) in 1971.
Mary enjoyed painting, dabbling in computer programming and was a dedicated servant of the Lord. She remained in San Antonio until 2017 when she moved to Austin to be closer to immediate family.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her sister June Lane and Nancy McElroy, brother Lt. Col (Ret.) James Mitchell Denard and her daughter Mary Michele McFeron Blakeman Ybarra. She is survived by her sisters Dorothy McCain (Johnny), Sue Hilliard (Bohn), and Bonnie Denard, her grandchildren, Daniel Blakeman (Jobi), Jillian Gavin (Gavin), James Blakeman (Michelle), Ryan McFeron (Meredith), Sarah Wilkerson(Jake) Emily McFeron, Shane Fehrenkamp (Rebecca), Micha McFeron, Connor McFeron (Emi) and Chase McFeron, 16 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Austin Wellness and Rehabilitation for their continued care over the last couple of years and to Pastor Peter C. Kolb of St. Mark Lutheran Church of Waco for his visits and spiritual support.
A Celebration of Life memorial for extended family will be held at a future date to be determined. An immediate family graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 29 th at 11 a.m. at Memory Gardens in Edna Texas.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to a charity of their choice in honor of Mary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. 361-782-2221.