Marian Dyer Windham

Words are too small to describe a soul as special as Marian Dyer Windham. She was born on September 15, 1921 in Baird, Texas to A.E. “Colonel” and Beulah McWhorter Dyer. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 28, 2022 in her home, surrounded by family.

She was the first born of five children, and the last living at a proud age of 100 and a half. She graduated from Baird High School in 1940. She along with her sister, Ruth Elliott attended the University of Texas together. She received a degree in Physical Education from the university in 1946.  On July 11, 1946, she married the love of her life, Richard Brooks Windham, after he returned from World War II. They started their family soon after in Baird, Texas. Their four boys Tally, Dyer, Tom and Billy were active in showing calves, rodeo, hunting, fishing, sports and they loved fast cars. Many memories were made throughout the years with her sisters Ruth Elliott and Gayle Akers and their families.

Up until her death, she remained actively in charge of the farming and ranching in Callahan County and surrounding areas. She and Richard not only shared a love together and of family, they shared a love together of raising herefords, which she still raised from the original bloodline. They were known for prize show steers and best in show stocker heifers. Arlon Baize said it best, the D- brand stood for more than just a family name, it symbolized dedication, discipline, dependability, determination, discernment and devotion. While her husband Richard, was a stern man of few words, Marian was the complete opposite. She never met a stranger, and if she did, they weren’t for long. Their personalities were perfect when meshed together. She was still opening gates and putting out feed with Richard, from the back of a pickup long into her 80’s. Her kitchen was her ministry. It was open to anyone who was at her home, and her roasts, chicken fried steaks and homemade pies are known far and wide. She made pies for many reasons, but mostly at times of loss. Her life was forever changed when she lost her son, Billy in 1972. She still received letters and flowers on his birthday from his fellow classmates and family every year, which brought her much joy.

Her husband, Richard preceded her in death on July 11, 2009, on their 63rd wedding anniversary.

She was more than just a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, she was a friend, a giver, a lover, a helper to anyone who had a need. She could sew and crochet, and most of her family and friends have a memento or two that she made, along with a Bedazzler, which fascinated her. She loved and gave without boundaries, whether it was time, money or something in between. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Baird, and supporter for their after school program called Kids Club. Her family felt that she may have missed her calling as a meteorologist, coach, or dispatcher, because she loved watching the weather, sports and listening to the scanner on a daily basis.  All sports brought her joy, especially if it was a Texas team. Another one of her daily joys was her mail. She had to have an extra large mailbox built to hold her daily mail. She loved mail and was still placing orders by check up until her death.

She is survived by son Tally, wife Deana and grandchildren Windy Nail & Sarah Atkinson, son Dyer, wife Kathy, and grandchildren Kamie Pruet, Jim Dyer Windham Jr., Kerri Davis & Krystal Bounds, son Tom Windham, wife Jan and grandchildren Teri Hollis, Traci Blount & Kayla O’Quinn and grandson Bill Windham Jr., the son of the late Bill Windham.

Great grandchildren include Cassie Gomez, Kristen Burns & Rowdy Nail, Jake & Sam Green, Kelydn & Jaseton Atkinson, Jack Pruet & Kallie Siegfried, Coleton Honea, Katie & Wes Windham, Kutter & Kollin Davis, Hudson Bounds, Ryli Hollis, Berklie & Beckett Blount, Heidi & Callahan O’Quinn and Creek, Wyatt & Slade Windham.

Great, great grandchildren are Hunter & Hagan Gomez, Logan & Scarlet Green, Arthur Green, and Caroline Honea.

A special thanks to Kindred Hospice for loving MawMaw as their own, Linda Darnell for loving her and making her hair beautiful, Karla Davis for being our on-call nurse, and to all of the family and friends that reached out to her physically and by phone. She loved life and people and was loved back by so many.

Marian never liked to be the center of attention, she preferred to give the attention to others. Per her wishes, there will not be any services. Instead, she asks you to wear red in her memory on her birthday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of her favorite organizations; Kindred Hospice, West Texas Rehab, Baird Volunteer Fire Department, or the First United Methodist Church of Baird.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”  Exodus 20:12

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