Mary Kathleen Dye

Mary Kathleen Dendy Dye (Kathy) went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 28, 2023 at her home in Baird with her husband and daughter by her side.

Kathy was born in Brady, TX on April 3, 1940 to Douglas and Anna Dendy. She grew up in Fredonia, TX on a farm and cattle ranch. She enjoyed life immensely, and she  especially loved reading, socializing, and riding horses. She graduated in 1958 from Monahans High School. She met the love of her life, Bob Dye, in Odessa, and married him in 1960. One week after they were married, Kathy went to Houston to finish her degree in elementary education and Bob went to Alaska to work.  Kathy graduated from the University of Houston in 1961 and joined Bob in Alaska. They spent several years there working and playing and mostly having a very good time. Kathy told of teaching the local Eskimo children who dressed only in seal skin, of Igloos, Eskimos, and snow storms on the last day of school. Along with Bob, Kathy earned her pilot’s license while in Alaska and the couple enjoyed flying their own airplane in their free time. 

In 1968 Kathy and Bob returned to Texas and bought a ranch in the small community of Rowden, between Baird and Cross Plains. Kathy worked for State Farm Insurance in Abilene and helped Bob with the farming and ranching. She fed cattle, raised chickens, planted and harvested crops, and prayed for rain. After their daughter, Julie, was born Kathy worked some but also took a couple of years off to be a mom. She learned to use a tractor to plow and plant fields. She dedicated her life to Julie and Bob and their home and, like everything she put her heart and mind into, she did a magnificent job. She read to Julie every day of her childhood and developed in her a lifelong love for books and learning.  After Julie began Kindergarten, Kathy returned to work for State Farm where she made many great friends and had many good times and adventures. In 1989 and again in 1991 Kathy began her favorite role, which was that of “Grandma” to Justin and Breanna-the two people who she was completely convinced were the smartest, best, most gorgeous people on Earth. She indulged them in every fun thing she could and they and their friends spent many good days and nights “out at the ranch.” She would cook whatever they wanted and constantly introduced them to new foods and fun new places. She was truly the perfect grandma. Kathy retired from State Farm Insurance in 1996 and helped with the family grocery store in Baird (B&B Grocery). Kathy also moved her elderly mother into her home during this time so she could take care of her. After the grocery store closed, Kathy and Bob moved to Breckenridge, TX.  They had great times there with family and friends and still managed to spoil the grandkids every chance they got, which was often. Kathy again “socialized” by joining many women’s clubs and Bible study groups. They enjoyed traveling and visited every state in the United States including Hawaii; they also traveled extensively abroad including England, China, Turkey, Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy, and others. They took over 25 cruises and even took frequent trips to the beach to let the grandkids swim and dig in the sand. They even took the grandkids to Disneyworld. They went back to Alaska numerous times to visit lifelong friends. In 2013 they moved back to Baird and enjoyed friends, family, and their home church, the First Presbyterian Church of Baird. Kathy was a fighter, a dreamer, and a “doer.” She was a classy, fun, kind, beautiful Christian lady. She will be missed tremendously.    

Kathy was preceded in death by her father and mother, her sister, Nancy Gibson, and an infant daughter, Anna Michele Dye.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Bob Dye of Baird, her daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Brian Patterson of Baird, a sister, Helen Smith of Houston, a grandson, Justin Patterson of Abilene, a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Breanna and Daniel DeVore of Baird, great- grandchildren Knox Patterson, Cooper Kathleen, Ellerie, Rosalee, and Asa DeVore, plus nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends too numerous to list by name.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Baird at 11:00 on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

The family suggests memorials to the Presbyterian Church of Baird or the Baird Volunteer Fire Department. 

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