of Antioch, TN

September 7, 1943 - August 1, 2018

Mary Claire Heffington was born on September 7, 1943 to the late Raymond and Ruby Stapleton.

Mary Claire & her older brother grew up in Searcy, AR on the campus of Harding University where both their parents served as professors & assisted in the move of Harding college from Morrillton, AR to Searcy, AR.

Mary Claire and the late Carl Heffington were married on August 27 1965.

In their early marriage, Mary Claire and Carl served as missionaries in Geneva, Switzerland. In their later marriage, Mary Claire assisted Carl in leading the work with the Church of Christ in Santa Caterina, Guatemala.

In addition to her time abroad, throughout her life Mary Claire lived in Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, and Tennessee.

While living in South Carolina and Georgia, Mary Claire was active in community theatre where she participated in many productions to include Paint Your Wagon and You Can't Take It With You. She loved animals of all kinds and was involved with the Fitzgerald Humane Society. Always a supporter of Carl, while in New Jersey, she was she was a member of the South Brunswick Township Friends of the Library. After moving to Tennessee she was involved in a local book club.

Mary Claire was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and an active member in each congregation she attended. Most recently, she was an active member of the Tusculum Church of Christ in Nashville, TN where she volunteered with the inner city children's ministry and room in the inn.

Mary Claire went to be with her Lord on August 1, 2018.

She is survived by her daughters - Elizabeth Heffington, Heather (Tony) Bates; her grandchildren - Elizabeth Grace, Ruby Sue, Coy Thomas, Henry Carl Bates; and her beloved dogs - Buddy and Sterling.

She is also survived by her brother - Glen Dewey (Pat) Stapleton as well as her brother in law - Tommy Jo Heffington, sister in law - Lois (Ivy) Brown and her nephews and nieces - James (Cricket) Stapleton, Gary (Carla) Stapleton, Amanda (Russ) Hanna, Carletta Rice, Roby Lynn (David Bean) Rice, Pherby (David) Higgins, and Missy (Mike) Webb.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com