A funeral service for Mary Jane "Ankie" McCrary, 86, of Elysian Fields, Texas will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Woodley Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the funeral home. Mrs. McCrary passed away on January 10, 2025, in Hallsville, Texas.

Mary Jane Jay McCrary Elysian Fields, TX – Mary Jane Jay McCrary, affectionately known as "Ankie," was born in Carthage, Texas on October 10, 1938, to parents Cannon William Jay and Truman Edith Hill Jay. She peacefully passed away on January 10, 2025.

Mary Jane met the love of her life, Jack Rogers McCrary, Sr., and they were married on October 12, 1956.

She is survived by her daughter, Edie McCrary Henigan (husband Billy Henigan); grandson Jack Waler McCrary; granddaughter Kathryn Jayee Scheel (husband Brandon Scheel); great-granddaughter Reagan Jayne Scheel; nephew James Ebarb (wife Caye) of Elysian Fields; nephew Jay Ebarb (wife Judy) of Harleton; and numerous great-nephews and nieces.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Cannon William and Truman Edith Jay; husband, Jack Rogers McCrary, Sr.; son, Jack Rodgers McCrary, Jr.; sister, Frankie Jay Ebarb; brother, C. W. Jay; and brother, Aldridge Jay.

Mary Jane graduated from Elysian Fields High School in 1956. She dedicated her professional career to serving the community as the Tax Assessor Collector for Waskom ISD until her retirement.

An active member of the Order of the Eastern Star Waskom Masonic Lodge, Mary Jane was a fervent supporter of the Elysian Fields Yellow Jackets. Her unwavering spirit could be felt in the stands at every game, home or away, where she cheered louder than anyone else.

Mary Jane cherished her family deeply and never missed a single event in the lives of her family. Later in life, she rekindled her love with her high school sweetheart, Sam Hall, enjoying a fulfilling chapter of her life until his passing in 2011. This union brought her two bonus sons and a daughter, along with their families and children, into her loving embrace.

The family would like to give their deepest gratitude for her sitters, Brenda, Donna and Patrice.

In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly requested to Shriner's Hospital for Cripple Children and/or Bethel Tabernacle.