Mary Alice Ayers' Obituary
Mary Alice Ayers was born on January 18, 1950, in San Benito, Texas. She was the daughter of Claude and Jeanne Olvera.
When Mary Alice was in fourth grade, she read the book Overseas Teacher which would have a lasting impact on her life, shaping her education, career choice, and where she would eventually live. It was this book that inspired Mary Alice to choose a career teaching the children of U.S. military personnel stationed overseas in Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). Mary Alice prepared for this career by attending Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts, where she earned secondary teaching certifications in math, Spanish, social studies, and art. When hired by DoDDS to teach overseas, Mary Alice's first assignment was at A.T. Mahan High School in Iceland. Following that, she taught in Berlin and Mannheim, Germany.
It was while Mary Alice was teaching in Berlin that she met and married a young Army officer, Charles (Monty) Ayers, to whom she was married for over 46 years. Mary Alice loved her role as an army wife, and although she eventually concluded her DoDDS career, she found other ways to continue to teach such as teaching military spouses who were new to overseas living how to adapt to a German grocery store or ride the German trains. Mary Alice never lost her love of teaching.
Eventually, after Monty's retirement from the Army and a return to the United States, Mary Alice's love of learning led her to study interior design. After completing design school, Mary Alice chose to work as an interior designer for the Dallas Veterans' Affairs Medical Center. Working at the Dallas VA Medical Center allowed her to work in an environment that fulfilled so many of her interests and loves ... design, problem solving, building construction, the military community, and her need to help others.
Mary Alice was truly one of the kindest, most caring individuals, always willing to lend a hand.
She is survived by her husband, Monty Ayers; brother, Jim Olvera; sister, Judy Olvera; sister-in-law, Vicki Olvera; brother-in-law, Craig Ayers; stepson, Russell Ayers; and nieces, Katherine Olvera and Caroline Olvera.
If you would like to make a charitable donation in Mary Alice's memory, may we suggest it be made to the ASPCA.
Burial will be at 9:00 AM on Thursday, January 22 2026 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?