Jocelyn Mayberry Schram

Jocelyn “Jolly” Mayberry Schram was born in Topeka, Kansas, on October 30, 1934, and left her earthly body on February 7, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Although her given name was Jocelyn, she was called Jolly by all who knew her. And anyone who met her knew how fitting the nickname was. Jolly was fortunate to be raised by two loving parents who adored her and her big sister Marilyn - Willard & Marian Mayberry. Her father Willard was a teacher, Tri-State News publisher, politician, and rancher and her mother Marian, a tea-totaling, tough politician’s wife and loving mother. Both had a profound influence on her, instilling their values of community, faith and a constant desire to learn and grow. Jolly, never one to follow a conventional path, elected to go to college, with the plan to attend a different university each year. She started in the east at Sweet Briar, then transferred to Southern Methodist University, where she pledged Delta Gamma. When she reached the University of New Mexico, her plans changed as she fell for and married Harry “Pete” Schram. They moved to Roswell, New Mexico where she would have a son and a daughter, earn a masters degree in history from Eastern New Mexico University, work as a high school teacher and a political reporter for the Roswell Daily Record. Eventually Jolly would move to Midland, Texas where she continued her career as a writer while raising her kids as a single mother. Everything was an adventure to her and she made sure it was for her kids, as well. There were many road trips that involved fishing, hiking, camping, Six Flags, Dallas Cowboys football or skiing. She managed to make every trip memorable, no matter how tight the budget. Jolly was not just an intellectual, but appreciated physical activities, as well. She could often be found playing softball, tennis or soccer, skiing, dancing, or camping. She moved to Austin, Texas in 1981 and loved that she could find all sorts of things to do there. In her later years, she slowed down some and decided to make the move to Burnet, Texas. There, she found a community where she made many close friends, attended church, walked her dog and baked bread for Main Street Bethlehem. It was also there that she found and purchased her “Happy Place” - Rancho Rocoso. She had a remarkable ability to make friends and believed that everyone had value. She was the type of person who would help you, even if she wasn’t really in a position to do so. She was truly a people person. Jolly is preceded in death by her father Willard Mayberry, mother Marian Bolinger Mayberry, and sister Marilyn Hilgers. She is survived by her daughter Christy and son-in-law Daren Ross, son Peter and daughter-in-law Roxanne Schram, two granddaughters (McKayla Ross and Kameron Schram), three grandsons (Morgen Schram, Tanner Ross and Braden Ross), and lots of relatives and dear friends. Although the world lost a friend, Heaven gained an angel with sparking blue eyes and a brilliant smile. Jolly’s wishes were to be to be interred at Rancho Rocoso, which will take place at a later date when the bluebonnets are in bloom. The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Anointed Senior Living for their care of Jolly during her last few years. Additionally, we are grateful to the team at Choice Hospice for their constant care and support during this difficult time.

Jocelyn Mayberry Schram

October 30, 1934 - February 7, 2025