Roll Call Tribute

Mary Ann Crenshaw 

August 9, 1942 - November 8, 2024 

Mary Ann (Barker) Crenshaw was born August 9, 1942, to L.S. Barker and Mandy Lea (Cothran) Barker and grew up in the Peach Creek Community just south of College Station, Texas. She lived in the community for most of her life until moving in her later years to Sasakwa, Oklahoma to be near family.

She married her lifelong sweetheart, Marshall T. Crenshaw, Jr. on July 25, 1959. They raised their family in the Peach Creek Community where they welcomed their three children, eight grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. They were blessed with pride and joy in their family. Marshall passed away November 27, 2010. Mary Ann passed November 8, 2024.

She was an alumna of A&M Consolidated High School as well as Texas A&M University, both in College Station, Texas, where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees on her path as an elementary school teacher. Mary Ann was an ardent fan of Aggie Baseball and regularly attended home games for many years.

For a brief time, Mary Ann worked the "lunchette counter" at the Woolworth department store in Bryan, Texas, raised her family, and then began her journey to become an elementary school teacher in the Navasota, Texas I.S.D. She particularly enjoyed hands- on, "how-does-it-work" activities that fascinated the students. She remained a student in life as she possessed an inquisitive nature and enjoyed learning.

Mary Ann and Marshall (and family) were actively involved in the Peach Creek and Wellborn communities and devoted much of their time and passion to their C3 ranch. Local rodeo and bull riding fans will remember many Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons in the late 1970's and 1980's at the family owned and operated Peach Creek Rodeo. In addition to the rodeo stock and a mix of cattle breeds, there was always a vast array of interesting creatures to tend to and be entertained by their antics.

They were active members of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA). Their ranch produced several top selling, prize winning Longhorns and they looked forward to seeing their TLBAA friends at shows, auctions, and events. They enjoyed hosting friends and visitors at their ranch and introducing others to the Longhorn breed. Visiting Aggies and locals recall posing atop their massive "pet" steer, Buddy, for photos and friendly rivalry with that school in Austin.

Mary Ann was a volunteer for community events as well as a local election polling worker. She enjoyed sewing, crafting and going to shows, baking, playing card games, traveling, and family gatherings small and large. She was a member of the Millican Baptist Church, in Millican, Texas. She enjoyed gospel and country music. Marshall once mentioned that the Garth Brooks song, "The Dance", described their life.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her loving husband, Marshall T. Crenshaw, Jr., parents, L.S. and Mandy Lea Barker, brother, Henry Clay Barker, brother L.S. "Buddy" Barker, Jr. and wife Nancy, sister Denice "Tee" Williams and husband, Richard "Dick", brother-in-law, Donald R. Pitts, sister-in-law Lois Bosley and her husband, J.R., brother-in-law, Robert Crenshaw and his wife, Elizabeth, all formerly of the Peach Creek, Bryan/College Station and Cypress areas.

She is survived by her sons, Aubrey Wayne Crenshaw and wife, Rebecca, of Leslie, Arkansas, son Ben Ray Crenshaw and wife, Wendy, of Sasakwa, Oklahoma, and daughter Paula Jean (Crenshaw) McLelland of College Station, Texas, her eight grandchildren and their spouses, as well as fifteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Judy Pitts, brother James "Jim" Barker and his wife, Judy, and numerous nephews, nieces and other family members.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life gathering to be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Peach Creek Community Center, located at 2166 Peach Creek Road, College Station, Texas. It will be a good time to share stories in remembrance of Mary Ann.