Mary Soehl Greer, 81, passed away at home on July 15, 2025. A beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Mary's warmth, kindness, and playful silliness left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

Born on July 12, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Margaret Nolan Soehl and Charles Henry Soehl, Mary grew up an Army brat, moving frequently with her family. Her early years were spent with her mother and Aunt Mary in Memphis while her father served in World War II and the Korean War, a time when a young Elvis Presley attended the same schools. When her brother, Patrick, was born eight years later at Fort Lewis, Washington, the family soon moved to Germany. There, her father battled tuberculosis, spending three years in a Memphis TB hospital. Raised in a devout Catholic household, Mary attended the Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Memphis before the family embarked on new duty assignments.

While stationed in France, Mary met Elton Randy Rawls at the officers' club where she worked. They married in 1964, beginning a whirlwind life together. They returned to the United States to care for Randy's father, Kater Rawls, who passed in 1967. The following year, Mary welcomed her daughter, Tracy. When Randy was deployed to Vietnam, Mary and Tracy stayed with her parents in Richmond, Virginia. Upon Randy's return, the family was stationed in Germany, where Mary embraced the adventure, visiting Italy's beaches and the Leaning Tower of Pisa and attending the 1972 Summer Munich Olympics (where the Israeli Olympic team was taken hostage and killed by the Palestinian group Black September). She also enjoyed Oktoberfest, the Audobon (white knuckled) and touring Neuschwanstein Castle during the filming of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Mary loved hosting friends, cooking and baking, and preparing fondue dinners, creating cherished memories that lasted a lifetime. She was an avid reader throughout her entire life.

In 1974, Mary gave birth to her son, David, born several months premature, requiring an extended hospital stay for both mother and child. Mary used to tell the story that David was so small his head would fit in the palm of her hand. (David was her miracle child). The family continued their military journey, moving to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and then Fort Meade, Maryland. As a dedicated military spouse and homemaker, Mary was a typical Southern wife, ensuring every dinner featured a Southern spread of meat, starch, vegetable, and bread, all made from scratch with love.

After her divorce from Randy, Mary reentered the workforce, finding her favorite role several years later at a marina in Manteo, North Carolina, where her passion for the beach and water shone. In 2001, she moved to Fort Huachuca to be near her daughter and son-in-law for a few years. In 2003, she settled in Texas for her last 22 years, living a simple life filled with joy with family and her dogs—Koko (passed in 2010), Julie (passed 2017), and Trooper (passed the same day as Mary) and caring for bottle-baby goats, a young heifer, and kittens. Mary found delight in life's small moments, including her great grandchildren, and all of the animals at Purple Goat Ranch.

Eleven years ago, Mary was warmly welcomed into Bryan Johnson's family, led by Jay and Paula Johnson. The Tipton, Davis, Jacobson, and Bollman clan embraced her as "Ms. Mary," treating her like royalty and filling her life with love and connection. She had many years of fun and giggles.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Tracy, and son-in-law, Bryan; her son, David, and daughter-in-law, Karen; brother, Patrick Soehl, and his son, Isaiah and daughter Autumn; her grandchildren, Rachel, Roxy, Tyler, Kyleigh, Josh, Kaleb, Brittany, Heather, and Ryan; and her great-grandchildren, Cailynn, Cooper, Eli, and Katana. She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Charles Soehl years before.

Mary's legacy of love and silliness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She was a strong woman, stronger than most of us realized. She was loved by many and will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on August 2, 2025 at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels.