Lisa Anne-Marie Mayes

Austin - Lisa was born in Kansas City, MO, to Dr. Gordon and B.K. Mayes. Lisa grew and thrived in Lubbock, TX, with her sister, Lori, and her brothers, Mark and Jon, and at times her grandmothers, Mark Young, and Marcos "Al" Smyth.

She graduated from Coronado High School in 1979. Lisa's constant faith was seeded in Lubbock at Second Baptist Church.

Lisa graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Radio TV. She pledged Kappa Alpha Theta, the Epsilon Epsilon chapter and made beloved friends for life.

Following her graduation from Baylor, Lisa had a short stint in broadcast journalism KXXV-TV in Waco. Lisa then began a career of more than 30 years in which she served as a skilled advocate and communicator, influencing policy at the state and local levels.

Lisa stayed engaged in her community. Among other activities Lisa served on the Boards of the Austin Humane Society, LIFE Houston the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics. She participated in the Leadership Texas Class of 2006, the American Leadership Forum, the Council on Recovery and the Center for Houston's Future Leadership Forum.

Beyond her career, Lisa had a big heart for animals, especially dogs. She shared her life with her beloved dachshunds, Jimmy and Kramer - and later Will and Rita - who brought her endless joy and preceded her in passing.

Lisa will be remembered for her sharp wit, love of language, and wordsmithing gift. She had a way of making conversations brighter, funnier, and more meaningful, leaving behind stories and laughter that will continue to be shared. Lisa shone with sunny optimism and deep faith, which helped her navigate with grace the more difficult times in her life.

Lisa is preceded in death by her mother and father, Dr. Gordon and B.K. Mayes; and her sister, Lori Mayes Hartman. She is survived by her two brothers, Jon Mayes (wife, Missa) of Lakeway, Texas, and Mark Mayes (Pamela) of Dallas, nephews Sutton and Sam Mayes of Austin, and brother-in-law, Jim Hartman of Tempe, Arizona.

Lisa's life will be celebrated on January 19, at the Lakeway Church, at 1 pm, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory. For those wishing to make a donation in Lisa's memory, the family suggests Austin Pets Alive or another animal welfare organization, or the B.K. and Gordon Mayes Presidential Endowment Scholarship at Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 41081, Lubbock, Texas 79409