Mary Darlene Sides Davis broke free from the chains of dementia on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. She’s now dancing again with Wayne.
Mary was born on August 27, 1946, to L.W. “Junior” Sides Jr and Mary Juanita Carriger Sides. She was the only child of Junior and Juanita but grew up with many cousins who became like siblings.
Mary Darlene graduated from Menard High School in 1965. After attending business school in Austin for a year, she returned home to marry her high school sweetheart, Wayne Allen Davis, on May 2, 1966.
Wayne and Mary built their forever home on the family ranch where he helped his grandfather and mother continue raising sheep and cattle. They were blessed with two daughters, Cynthia Darlene on January 6, 1967 and Mary Louise on September 29, 1975. Those blue-eyed Davis girls were raised to be strong, independent, capable ranch hands and were taught the value of hard work both on the ranch and in the home.
Mary D. began working for Julie Zimmerman’s Tax Service in the early 1970s. In 1982, she joined her mother at Hoot’s Pharmacy, where they worked for Max and Barbara Hooten. She remained with the pharmacy through two subsequent owners and was its final employee when the business closed in 2013.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband and dancing partner of 48 years, Wayne and by her parents, Junior and Juanita Sides. Mom is survived by her daughters, Cindy and Lee Thornhill of Menard, TX, and Louise and Rob Ormsby of Irmo, SC. Known as DoDo to her four spoiled grandchildren: Kallie Darlene Thornhill of Pensacola, FL; Cody Allen Thornhill and wife, Leila, of Jacksonville, FL; Haleigh Mabry Ormsby of Fort Mill, SC; and Lainey Maree Ormsby of Irmo, SC. She adored her son-in-laws, who lovingly helped care for her during her final years. She will be missed by many members of the Carriger and Sides families.
A memorial service was held at Menard Cowboy Church on Wednesday, July 29. The family requests that memorial donations may be made to the Menard Volunteer Fire Department, the Menard American Legion, or the charity of your choice.