Mary Ann Davis Wilson

1945 - 2025

Mary Ann was born in Fort Worth, Texas, an only child to Henrietta (Hennie) Mary Davis Brown (mother), Charles Seaton Davis (father), and Lee Ross Brown (stepfather). Mary Ann grew up in Houston and Dallas before earning her bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 1965. She was married to Minor Wilson for a few years after her graduation, and enjoyed a life-long relationship with her in-laws Katherine and Burton Wilson. Mary Ann was involved in the music scene in Austin and San Francisco, then started graduate school in public affairs at the University of Oregon in 1968. Following a work opportunity in London, England, she went on to live and travel extensively throughout Morocco and Spain until 1973. In Fez, Morocco, she worked as program planner at the USAID cultural center. Mary Ann returned to the US, finishing a master's degree at Florida International University and working in public relations and advertising, including for Hank Meyer Associates in Miami. She also helped with publications for the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, worked as adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, and served on the board of the Tropical Audubon Society (TAS). After retiring to Austin, TX in 2005, Mary Ann was active in the Austin Button Club and the Texas State Button Society (TSBS).
A lover of books, music, adventures, birds, art and antiques, Mary Ann found beauty and humor in life's simple moments and encouraged us all to do the same. Mary Ann is deeply missed by her many friends from all the places she lived. Friends will celebrate Mary Ann's life on December 6, 2025 in Austin.