Mary Frances House

Mary Frances House passed away at Legacy Ranch Memory Care in Midland, Texas on December 22, 2020. She was 96 years old. Mary Frances was born in Hillsboro, Texas on August 25, 1924 to William Floyd Yeager and Charline Wesson Yeager. She was an only child and was raised primarily in Pampa, Texas, but she also lived for a few years with her parents in New York City. She fondly remembered going to the Bronx Zoo with her father on weekends.  For a portion of her childhood, she also lived with Minta Belle Wesson, her beloved grandmother in Waco, Texas.

Mary Frances graduated from Pampa High School at the age of sixteen and briefly attended college at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. On Sept. 15, 1945 she married Maynard William Rafferty, Jr., a Captain in the Army Air Corps and a fellow Pampa High graduate.  Four children were born of that union: Susan Rafferty Richardson (husband – Reuben) of Midland, Texas; Edward William Rafferty (Shreveport, Louisiana); Nancy Kay Rafferty (Midland, Texas); Colleen Lynette Rafferty (Midland, Texas). Together they lived in several different “oil towns”) Pampa and Midland, Texas; Denver, Colorado and Lafayette Louisiana. While living in Lafayette, Mary Frances obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Louisiana and taught home economics in high school for several years.

On October 23, 1976, Mary Frances married Denver Ray House in Houston, Texas. In 1977, they moved to Odessa, Texas. From that union, Mary Frances acquired a step-daughter-in-law, Rita House, two step-grandchildren, Sara Parr and Jennifer House, and two great-granddaughters by Sara and her husband, Rich.

Mary Frances loved her succession of cats, including Barney and Dinah, who went before her and Maggie who survived her.

She had an unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which sustained her whole life. She had many close friends through the years with whom she attended Bible studies and regular Church services at First Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas. She is survived by her children, her step-daughter-in-law, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard William Rafferty and Denver Ray House. Her family wants to thank Legacy Ranch Memory Care for their dedicated and compassionate care of our mother during her six months in residence. In lieu of customary remembrances and for those desiring to make contributions in her memory, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.