(1933-2015)

Mary Esther O’Connor Grayson ascended to Heaven on Feb. 26, 2015, in Anacortes, Wash. She was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Beeville, Texas, to parents John Henry O’Connor and Evelyn Reed McConnell, both from Texas pioneer families. Mary Esther graduated in 1950 from Beeville High School and in 1954 from Incarnate Word College.

In 1955 she married Lt. William Ronald (“Ron”) Grayson, a decorated naval aviator who had flown two tours in Korea. Mary Esther and Ron moved to Memphis, Tenn.; San Francisco; and eventually Whidbey Island, Wash., and had three sons, John William (Kim), Mark Ronald (Lisa) and Matthew James (Kathy). Tragedy struck when then Commander Grayson was killed in action April 1, 1966, while flying from the USS Enterprise in the South China Sea. After his passing, Mary Esther elected to remain with her Navy community at Whidbey Island. She waited 49 years to be reunited with her beloved husband.

Mary Esther’s friends would describe her as “tough, smart and intuitive” and someone they loved to be with. She was a devoted and affectionate mother and grandmother. Mary Esther was preceded in death by her one sister, Patricia Ann O’Conner Cranfill (Rich), who was 12 years younger and who had moved to Washington state with her in the 1960s. Mary Esther is survived by her sons and nephews, Kevin Faris (Samantha) and Keith Faris. Her brother-in-law, Rich Cranfill; grandchildren, Sara Hembree (Chad), Kayla Grayson, Madison Grayson, Connor Grayson; and great-grandchildren, Grayson Hembree and Emmitt Hembree.

A celebration of Mary Esther’s life will be held with her family in Beeville, Texas.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Mary Esther, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com