Mary Kathryn (Mitchell) Houchin, 90, of Garden Ridge, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Mary was born on August 6, 1936, in Tamms, Illinois, to Walter F. and Helen (Wilson) Mitchell. She graduated from Tamms High School in 1954 and went on to attend cosmetology school.

On May 25, 1956, Mary married the love of her life, Lloyd Kenneth Houchin. Together, they shared a remarkable journey that took them around the world during Lloyd’s more than 29-year career in the United States Air Force. Leaving her small hometown of Tamms, Mary embraced each new adventure and made a home wherever their travels led them. She lived in Arizona, Texas, and Georgia before spending three years in Japan. Upon returning to the United States with their daughter, Ramona Lynne, the family moved to Louisiana for four years. Their next overseas adventure took Mary, Lloyd, Ramona, and their son, Mitchell Lloyd, to England for three years. After returning stateside, they lived in Alabama, Nevada, Illinois, and Nebraska before retiring in Lebanon, Illinois. In 2023, Mary moved to Texas to be closer to her daughter.

Throughout her life, Mary was known for her willingness to try new things, her caring spirit, and her dedication to family and community. In her early years, she held various jobs while also embracing the responsibilities and friendships that came with being an Air Force wife. She was active in her husband’s squadron spouses’ activities and the Officer Spouses’ Club, volunteered with the Red Cross, and enjoyed bowling and golf. Later in life, she worked at a Hallmark store and at a pig farm, where her compassionate nature shone through as she took home smaller piglets and bottle-fed them until they reached a healthy size.

Mary was also an active member of the Belleville, Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she served a term as chapter regent. She also cherished her church family at Towerview Baptist Church in Belleville. After moving to Texas, she enjoyed the sermons of Max Lucado and Travis Eades at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Ramona (Houchin) Dolson; her son, Mitchell Lloyd Houchin and his wife, Debbie (Snyder) Houchin; her grandsons, Alexander Lloyd and Destiny (Wood) Houchin, and Steven Mitchell and Alexis (Gutzmer) Houchin; her great-grandchildren, Granger and Sutton Houchin; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beloved cat, Sammy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; her parents, Helen (Wilson) Mitchell and Walter F. Mitchell; her sister, Ruth Genevieve (Mitchell) Davis; and her brother, Eugene Pratt Mitchell.

At Mary’s request, there will be no visitation or services held.