Mary Ann Murphy Wavell

Mary Ann Murphy Wavell, 77, of Lampasas, TX, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Southlake, Texas. A graveside service will be Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, with a reception to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the library at Hotel 1928.

She was born on July 2, 1948, in Dallas, Texas. Mary Ann was one of two daughters of Mary Sabrina Murphy and William Jefferson Murphy. She is survived by her beloved older sister, Sara Sundstrom.

Mary Ann graduated from Hillcrest High School in Dallas and continued her education at Trinity University in San Antonio, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1971. She furthered her passion for learning by completing a Master's in Library Science at the University of Texas at Austin in 1989.

As a young girl, Mary Ann spent her summers at Camp Davis in New Mexico, where she developed a lifelong love of the outdoors—those summer days, surrounded by nature, adventure, and friendship, were some of her most treasured memories. Mary Ann was a talented watercolor artist known for her delicate, vibrant floral paintings, many of which decorated her home walls for decades.

While attending Trinity University, Mary Ann met Leland Cage Wavell from Corpus Christi. The two married on January 23, 1970. After graduation, Cage joined the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot, and the young family lived in California, Florida, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Together, they welcomed two children, Carrie Ann and Cage Wavell. In 1975, when Cage attended Baylor University Law School, the family moved to Waco, Texas. They later relocated to Corpus Christi, where Mary Ann began her teaching career while continuing to paint.

In 1984, Mary Ann divorced and started a new chapter in her life when she took a teaching position with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) in Germany. She worked as an art teacher and later as a librarian. She spent eight memorable years living and working in Europe, traveling extensively across East and West Europe, Russia, Egypt, and beyond. She immersed herself in new cultures, built lifelong friendships with fellow teachers, and proudly learned to navigate the autobahn and Europe's winding roads. Traveling became one of her greatest passions.

Returning to the United States in 1994, Mary Ann settled in Austin, Texas, where she continued her career in education as a librarian with Austin ISD. She was an avid dog lover who shared her life with three cherished dogs: Buttons (her favorite), then Buster, and finally Ellie. Ellie now lives happily with her daughter, Carrie Ann.

In 2003, Mary Ann found her sanctuary when she purchased acreage in Lampasas, lovingly known as “The Ranch.” After retiring from teaching in 2005, she devoted herself to the land. She found joy in watching the sun rise and set, admiring the wildlife, working outdoors, building fences, driving her tractor, and soaking in the peace of wide-open spaces. The Ranch was her happy place—where the beauty of simple things brought her endless contentment.

Mary Ann loved spending time with her four grandchildren. She was incredibly proud of all their accomplishments and cherished hearing about their lives. She will be dearly missed; her grandchildren are deeply saddened by her passing.

In 2024, Mary Ann was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. Despite limited treatment options, she faced her illness with courage, grace, and acceptance.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughter Carrie Ann Mark, and son-in-law, Robert Mark; her grandchildren Ella Ann Wavell, Dutch Robert Mark, Dustan Jefferson Mark, and Annika Ann Mark; her son Cage Jefferson Wavell; and her sister Sara Sundstrom.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mary Ann’s love of animals by adopting a dog or cat—and giving them the affection she believed every animal deserves.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Mary Ann in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com