Mary Elizabeth Robey

It all began on October 21, 1927, in Houston, Texas, when a “star” was born – Mary Elizabeth Walton Robey. daughter of Peyton Edward Walton Jr. and Almeda Landry Walton. She was summoned to her heavenly home on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Her early education consisted of attending St. Nicholas Catholic School for elementary school. She later became Valedictorian of the old Booker T. Washington High School and attended Talladega College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.

She was a proud Soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Houston Chapter), a member of the Smart Set, the Houston Links Association and participated in numerous fundraising and community affairs.

Mary was an avid sportswoman with interests in gardening, bowling, golf, and speed walking. She was known for organizing family events and preparing many of her delicious homemade dishes. She loved sharing her recipes, entertaining family and friends with her piano and organ mastery, and delighting audiences with her collection of memorized jokes. always tailored appropriately to the ages of her listeners.

Mrs. Robey taught for 35 years in Houston ISD schools, including Booker T. Washington High School. Kashmere Gardens High School, T.H. Rodgers Middle School, and Lanier. Houston ISD was the largest racially segregated school system in the United States until 1961. when she became one of the first educators to help integrate the system. She was consistently recognized for “Teacher of the Year” honors and inspired countless students, some of whom later appeared in Broadway productions.

She was also the first Black woman appointed to the Board of the University of Texas Medical School, where she served from 1989 to 2000.

Mary and her husband of 42 years. Louis Reed Robey, later moved to Country Place Retirement Community, where they remained active in a multitude of organizations and community efforts.

She created the County Place Foundation to raise funds for activities and to assist in beautifying the community. She was a member of the Wellness Seekers group, which researched and published articles in the monthly newsletter. She also served on committees enforcing deed restrictions, gave free adult piano lessons to interested residents, and volunteered wherever she was needed.

After community affairs concluded, she would often play background piano or organ music for up to five hours non-stop during community and church fashion shows, stages productions, and events. She also performed classical music recitals lasting as long as three hours.

In her own words:

“As usual, I am the “fly in the buttermilk.” There are approximately 100 black residents among 1,500 others. I began giving free private piano lessons to shut-ins. There are four residents now on chemotherapy. About five years after Louis died, I relearned to play the piano and began building a repertoire, which helped occupy much of my time.”

--Mary Elizabeth Walton Robey

She is survived by her daughter, Marla Robey Evans (Spouse: Melvin Davis); honorary son, Eric McAdams; sisters, Olivia Ann Jones (Spouse: Wiggins) and Tena Marie Gardner; nieces: Tracey Jones Smith, Michelle Jones, Keisha Gardner, and Kia Gardner; nephews: Darryl Alexander Walton and Donny Jones; the Henry Jolivet family; mother-in-law: Murphy Robey; granddaughters: Caryn Elise and Carmyn Elizabeth; grandsons: Louis Garrett, Marc Edward, Ray Anthony II, Royce Andre and Robey Alexander; sisters-in-law: Zenobia Robey Powell and Naomi Robey Sampson; brothers-in-law: Don D. Robey Jr. and Errol Keith Robey, Sr.; and many other loving relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Louis Robey; son, Dr. Don D. Robey, II; parents: Almeda Landry Walton and Peyton E. Walton, III; and father-in-law: Don D. Robey, Sr..