Mary Ruth Sansom Cleere

Mary Ruth Sansom Cleere was known by many names—Mother, Mama, Grandmother, Gran, Gram, G.G., Miss Mary, Aunt Mary, Mar’Ruth, to name a few. Mary was very easy to love and had close relationships in all areas of her life. She taught us about unconditional love, the power of prayer and positive thinking, and reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously. Mary loved to laugh, and she was always humming a tune. She had a special role in so many of our lives, and we are all better for it. Mary Ruth Sansom Cleere, 93, of Conroe, Texas, went to heaven on Saturday, November 18, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.


Mary Ruth was born in Fairfield, Alabama, on February 6, 1930, to Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Sansom. Mary was the middle child between her big sister Marjorie and her little brother Jerry. She may have played with dolls a little bit as a child, but her real interest was making things for others to enjoy. It is said that as a child Mary learned how to make things by following her dad around the house with a hammer and toolbelt. If you knew Mary, you knew she radiated talent. She was a true artist in every sense of the word—a highly skilled pianist, a delicious cook, a painter, an expert seamstress and upholsterer, and more. She made her own clothes from a young age and made many things for her daughter, granddaughters, and even her great-grandchildren. She loved to create, and even more so to create things for others. Mary always went the extra mile to make everything special and unique. She was so creative and put the cherry on top of everything she touched. Mary also had a diverse career—from working on political campaigns in the ‘70s to selling real estate, but her real passion was buying and selling antiques.

We know Mary Ruth was welcomed with open arms by Jesus and those she loved. She was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Sansom, her brother Jerry Sansom, and her sister Marjorie Sansom Chesnutt. Mary Cleere is survived by her son Douglas Cleere, her daughter Linda Cleere O’Chery and son-in-law Jim O’Chery of Conroe, TX, her granddaughter Molly O’Chery Cunningham (Kevin) of Magnolia, TX, her granddaughter Mindy O’Chery Porter (Chris) of Austin, TX, and five great-grandchildren (Cole, Claire, Cora, Milly, Mabel Ruth). We all feel a deep sadness for our loss, but we also rejoice knowing we will see her again. If you wish, we can celebrate Mary Ruth’s vibrant and cheerful life by wearing any shade of her favorite color—pink.