Mariwyn McPherson Dye Webb – August 12, 2016

TEST.0771
TEST.0771

Mariwyn McPherson Dye Webb of Amarillo died Friday, August 12, 2016.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with the Dr. Howie Batson, pastor, officiating.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount.

Mariwyn was born January 10, 1944, in Hedley, TX, the only child of Theresa and W.E. “Wimpy” McPherson and was preceded in death by her mother and father. She loved her mommy and believed she had the greatest daddy in the whole wide world.

She had a magnetic charisma, a relentless drive, a deep religious faith, a wonderful wit, and a joyous laugh. She had a never-ending desire to help others and remarkable humility. She never burned a bridge. She loved reading, writing, business, and her many wonderful friends. She had an incredible ability to cultivate and enjoy friendships with people from all walks of life.

Mariwyn was an extraordinary entrepreneur and civic leader who gave generously to her family, her community, and to her fellow Amarillo residents. She founded DB&A Advertising in 1981 where, as CEO, she ran day-to-day operations of the multimillion dollar business that she built from scratch. As creative strategist at DB&A, she developed award winning campaigns that were recognized for excellence on the local, regional, national, and international levels. Mariwyn earned The Advertising Federation’s highest honor, the Silver Medal, for her contributions to her profession and her community. After selling DB&A in 1995, she launched MW&A to continue serving her favorite clients and her community. She earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University, while raising two small children on her own.  Mariwyn worked tirelessly until her very last days.

Committed to serving her local and national communities, Mariwyn generously lent her talent and expertise to many philanthropic organizations. She served on the Board of Directors for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation, an organization that promotes growth and business in Amarillo; as Chairman of the 1992 United Way Campaign, helping raise more than $3 million; as President of Amarillo Executive Women; as director of Wal-Mart’s national literacy initiative; and as a member of the Amarillo Board of City Development – the only woman ever chosen to serve.
Mariwyn served on the Board of Directors for numerous community organizations including: Baptist-St. Anthony’s Foundation, the Globe News Center for Performing Arts, the Amarillo Symphony, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and the American Cancer Society. She held leadership roles at the March of Dimes, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, Amarillo Little Theatre, Children’s Health Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, and Big Brothers-Big Sisters.
A political activist with strongly held views, Mariwyn served on Congressman Mac Thornberry’s steering committee, was a delegate to the President’s Conference on Small Business in Washington, D.C., and served on Governor George W. Bush’s Presidential Exploratory Committee. She helped lead successful political campaigns for a number of candidates including U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry, Representative David Swinford, Representative Four Price, Mayor Glen Parkey, Mayor Trent Sisemore, City Commissioner and Mayor Debra McCartt, City Commissioner Jim Simms, and numerous other city commissioners and board trustees.
Mariwyn’s profession and community recognized her with many awards including the: Amarillo Women’s Forum Distinguished Service Award; Amarillo Women’s Network Woman of Achievement Award; Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award; and Leadership Texas. Her efforts were recognized with a cover story in Texas Business Magazine on women entrepreneurs.
Writing was a big part of Mariwyn’s life. She was a contributing writer for Accent West for many years and wrote hundreds of articles that told the story of Amarillo and the surrounding area. She wrote “Romancing the Texas Panhandle, An Affair to Remember” to promote tourism in the Texas Panhandle. She may have been most proud, however, of “Rodney the Texas Ghost”, which she wrote for her children.
Having helped break the glass ceiling for business women in Amarillo, Mariwyn enjoyed mentoring a number of younger women over the years and remained in touch with many of them. She was a dedicated member of the body of Christ, worshipping and teaching alternately at Temple Baptist Church and First Baptist Church.
Mariwyn earned the respect and admiration of all those who were privileged to know her. She was a cherished friend to many, and she was deeply loved by her children, husband, aunts, cousins, employees, and her Bridge Club. But more than anything, she was a great Mom.
Mariwyn loved her family and served her parents and several of her elders well in their later years. But out of all the rest of her very full life, her biggest joys were her two sons, Bently and Steffan, topped only by the June birth of her first grandchild, Blake. They loved her and miss her already.
Survivors include her husband of 24 years, Randy Webb; her son Bently G. Dye of San Antonio and his wife Lorie; her son Steffan L. Dye of Newport Beach and his wife Jenna; her beloved grandson and namesake Blake PR Dye.
She is also survived by her step-sons Michael Webb and his wife Angel and Matthew Webb and his wife Cynthia and 4 step-grandchildren.

0 Replies to “Mariwyn McPherson Dye Webb – August 12, 2016”

  1. I learned a lot about Mariwyn from her precious Mom. Theresa tried not to brag too much but we who worked with Theresa in our church library heard enough to know what a special lady Mariwyn was. I’ll be forever grateful that I got to know her.

  2. It’s hard for us to find the words that might bring you comfort at this time of loss, but perhaps just knowing we are thinking of you with sympathy and understanding will somehow help give you strength during this difficult time. Mariwyn was a beautiful and wonderful person we are honored to have known her. Our comadre forever, Mike and Nora Flores.

  3. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Randy, Anita and all of Mariwyn’s family. She inspired us so much and was a delight to be with. We pray God will bless you with a peace and comfort that only He can give. We love you so much! David & Trisha

  4. Only recently did I have contact with Mariwyn although we are 2nd cousins. We were age-wise and miles apart. I would like to leave a message for all those dear ones left behind, family, friends and acquaintances. This is a quote from C. H. Spurgeon (The Prince of Preachers), who preached this in a sermon in the mid to late 1800 s.
    “Our dear ones were lent to us, what a blessing they have been to us! The lamps of our house, have they not been the joy of our day? The master says “I want them back again;” and we do clutch at them, and say “No Master, thou shalt not have them”? Oh it must not be so. Our dear ones were never half as much ours as they were Christ’s. We did not make them, but He did; we never bought them with our blood, but He did; we never sweat a bloody sweat for them, nor had our hands and feet pierced for them, but He did.They were lent to us, but they belonged to Him. Your prayer was, “Father let them be with me where I am,” but Christ’s prayer was “Father, I will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am.” Your prayer pulled one way, and Christ’s pulled another. Be not envious that Christ won the suit.”
    May God be with you and comfort you at this time and always!

  5. We are deeply sadden of Mariwyn’s passing, but we are honored to have known such a beautiful and wonderful person as our comadre Mariwyn. Our thoughts are with you today and always.

  6. To the Family, my condolences. Mayiwyn was an incredible lady and I am proud to have know her. Steffan and Bently, ya’ll have an incredible woman to be very proud of. Mariwyn passing left a big hole in the heart of Amarillo. Lean in on Christ and He will give you strength.

  7. Mariwyn:
    We all feel that we have lost one of “Our People”. You have been such an integral part of so many lives, in so many ways. We will always remember and miss you.

  8. The Amarillo advertising and media community has lost one of its very best. Every time I worked with her I learned something new. My condolences to the family. RIP Mariwyn, I will miss you.

  9. Randy, what a loss to all of us, especially to you. Meriwyn was a beautiful person, and it was not just skin deep — it went all the way to the very deep depths of her soul. Please call me when you feel like it. ~Geo.

  10. Randy & Family,
    I am so sad to hear of Mariwyn’s passing. I first met her when we started on our book project, Romancing the Texas Panhandle. I worked the lead on the project for PTMC and sent a lot of time with Mariwyn. We could not have picked a better author for our project. Mariwyn was a dynamic and well respected business woman in Amarillo and I feel so privileged to have known and worked with her over the last few years. I will miss her very much. I extend my prayers and condolences to you all as you have truly lost an angel.

  11. Mariwyn..your passing has left a big void..Thanks for all you gave to us. Rest in peace, Pauline Hefley, San Antonio

  12. I was fortunate enough to become acquainted with this fine lady when DB&A consisted of only she and Jeanine Smith.. I become the bookkeeper. Mariwyn not only loved her work, she loved her employees. Mariwyn made our jobs fun … company parties, lunches together at various places (Rhett Butlers, Stephens BBQ, etc). Monday mornings were for brainstorming…coming up with ideas for client ad campaigns. This special lady treated her employees and her clients as if we all were special.

  13. Our cousin by marriage, our dear friend in our hearts. So much love for Mariwyn, we will miss her greatly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *