Mary Denham

Mary Denham, 85, of Pampa, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, October 30, 2025 in Pampa.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Trinity Fellowship with Pastor Mike Borger officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 6:00-7:30 PM.

Mary was born November 17, 1939 in Shamrock, Oklahoma to Alonzo and Hazel Shaw. She graduated from Pampa High School in 1958. Mary married the love of her life, Ray Curtis Denham on June 17, 1960 in Pampa. They celebrated over 57 years of marriage before he passed on March 30, 2018.

Mary worked as a secretary for Dr. Elder and Dr. Falkenstein for about 5 years. She enjoyed her time working in the clinic. As their children grew up, Mary was always involved at school. Whether it was PTA, home room mom, or helping plan classroom parties, you could always find Mary in the mix. She eventually took a job at Lamar Elementary and worked there for 22 years and 9 more years with Latchkey after school program before she retired. For many years Mary held her own wedding business and helped make many people’s weddings special. Her ability to decorate and make every occasion great was a special gift.

Mary loved the Lord and was a strong woman of faith. She was a long-time member of Trinity Fellowship Church where she spent many hours volunteering and giving of her time. She oversaw Trinity’s Wearhouse that was able to help so many people. Mary instilled in her children her strong Christian values.

Mary had a kind and giving heart with a sweet smile. She did have an onery side to her, she was always up for a good laugh by showing up somewhere in costume for various birthdays. Her role as “Grammy” was so special to her. Mary loved spending time with each of them. She was also a very talented seamstress. As her daughters were growing up, she would make many of their clothes and prom dresses. Mary loved to talk and was a great storyteller, she had a great memory and could recall many details of each memory. Her love for her family was unmeasurable, and she will be dearly missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two children, Tammy Rene and Curtis Ray Denham; sister and brother-in-law, Lillian Chesher and husband John; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vinson Shaw and wife Barbara and Lee Roy Shaw and wife Wilma.

The family is so grateful for the continued care and concern that Dod Denham, Ray’s brother, showed Mary after Ray passed away. Also, the love Chad Quarles and his family showed Mary over the years.

A special thank you to Lettie Salazar, Pampa Regional Medical Center 3rd floor staff, and Interim Hospice for their loving care they showed Mary over the past few weeks.

Survivors include her two daughters, Darla Starbuck and husband Lonnie and Donna Whitson and husband David all of Pampa; grandchildren, Seth Starbuck and wife Bekah of Anderson, South Carolina, Austin Starbuck of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Riley Whitson of Pampa, and Allison Sherwood and husband Cade of Canton, Ohio; a great grandson, Cody Sherwood; three sisters, Geneva Thompson and husband Bill of Canyon, Darlene Ascencio and husband Ray of White Deer, and Virginia Ridgeway and husband Bill of Mobeetie; two brothers, William Shaw and wife Jenny of Marana, Arizona and Jackie Shaw and wife Marlene of Pampa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be sent to GrayCares Living at Home, Inc., 511 N Hobart St, Pampa, Texas 79065 or Boys Scout of America Troop 413.

Red was Mary’s favorite color, the family request that something red be worn in honor of Mary at her funeral service.