of Memphis, TN
October 15, 1942 - February 1, 2026
Our beloved mother, Mary Virginia Steed Forrester Beall, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior just after midnight on February 1, 2026 surrounded by her children on the family farm in Whitton, Arkansas.
Mary Virginia was born October 15, 1942 in Little Rock to her adoring parents, Wirt Asa and Mary Mitchell Steed and her brothers Wirt Mitchell ''Sonny'' and James Garland ''Jim''. The Steed family made their home in Osceola where Wirt and Mary were teachers, entrepreneurs, and devoted members of First United Methodist Church.
After her 1960 graduation from Osceola High School, Mary Virginia attended Hendrix College for two years before transferring to State Teachers College in Conway. Despite a fierce battle with Victorian Period Poetry, she graduated with a BSE in 1964 and began her teaching career in Memphis. Phillip Forrester, a young farmer from Whitton and an occasional date, endeavored to rekindle their friendship upon learning that she was living and teaching just across the river in Memphis. With their friendship renewed, it was not long before they became engaged and were married in August of 1965.
Phillip and Mary settled on the farm in Whitton down the road from Phillip's parents and in those early years welcomed three children to their family: Mary Helen, Paul David and Keith Edward. With devotion to each other, dependence on God's faithful provision for their family and lots of hard work, they built a wonderful life in Whitton. Mary and Phillip selflessly loved and cared for their family and modeled for their children the importance of faith and family, the value of life-long learning, a strong work ethic and living within their means among many other life lessons. Mary served in the Whitton Baptist Church, enjoyed needlepoint, gardening, reading, and pursued entrepreneurial endeavors that included becoming a self-taught weaver of antique chair seats. She did not, however, enjoy camping but was a good sport about it and made those family excursions memorable in many ways. Mary eventually resumed teaching and retired after 22 years as a first-grade teacher having taught countless children to read and to love learning. After almost 34 years of marriage, Mary was widowed when Phillip passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 1999.
Mary remained in her home on the farm enjoying her children and grandchildren, lunching and shopping with her retired teacher's group, and traveling with friends and family and caring for her mother-in-law Helen whom she loved very much. After several years she returned to worship in the Methodist Church in Osceola. It was there that she became acquainted with John Beall and after they married in August 2007 she moved back to Osceola. She joined the membership of PEO Chapter O and was a vital member of the United Methodist Women's group serving as President for several years. She and John traveled extensively around the US and the World. Her favorite trip was to the Holy Lands and even the horror of leaving her purse on their tour bus did not dim the profound impact of seeing and walking where Jesus had walked.
In early 2022, Mary and John moved to Memphis to be near her daughter where they enjoyed the fun of their retirement community, the increased opportunities for shopping and dining out and fellowship with family. With John's devoted care, Mary was able to remain independent until the past few months when the effects of dementia accelerated. A bad fall and resulting brain injury prompted the decision to move her to Keith and Jill's home on the family farm in Whitton. Since early December, Mary was lovingly cared for by Keith, Jill and Mary Helen, and was surrounded by the people she loved in the place she loved the most. John remained devoted to Mary even as it became necessary for him to relocate to Florida to be near his son.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and their spouses and her beloved husband Phillip Lee Forrester. She is survived by her devoted husband John, her daughter Mary Helen (Max) Fairley, sons Paul David (Rhonda) Forrester and Keith Edward (Jill) Forrester. She is also survived by her six grandchildren Phillip Lincoln (Shelby), Warren Steed and Paul Edward (Savannah) Fairley, Jackson Ellis and Taylor Brooke Forrester and Fox Edward Lee Forrester and her first great-grandson Sterling Frances Fairley and his little brother due to be born in late April.
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32 Condolence(s)
Mary Elaine Hicks
Sunday, February 8, 2026
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. We were roommates when she taught school in Memphis & she & Lou & I were just out of college. She was a good friend & I know she’ll be missed.
Michael & Sherri Godsey
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Keith and Jill , so sorry to hear about Mary, she was so nice and kind to me over the years. God bless y’all
Michael & Sherri Godsey
Judy A Ellis
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Prayers for each of you. Mary Virginia was a beautiful person and a joy to know. She is missed but leaving wonderful living memories.
roland dominguez
Friday, February 6, 2026
I only met her once during her trip to Corpus Christi Texas and I was taken by her wit and charm at the dinner party we met at.
Godspeed on her next journey.
Joyce Ann Sivley Stovall
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing.
I visited with her every year at the
Wilson All Class reunions. I missed
her at 2025 reunion. I didn’t know she was not well.
Prayers go out to her children and
their families. May you find peace and comfort in knowing she is in heaven with love ones.
RIP Mary.🙏🙏🙏🌹
Skip and Liz George
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Mary Virginia was a wounderful lady, Mother, Wife, and Friend. She will be missed. Liz and Skip George
Louis Dyche
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Mary was a sweet lady. My condolences to her family 🙏🏻❤️
Anna Belle & Tom Akers
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Our sincere sympathies to Mary Helen, Paul, Keith and their families for their loss. We loved Mary and treasured our family times together. She was a blessing to everyone who knew her. May she rest in peace.
Elaine Williams
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Mary was a dear friend. I enjoyed teaching with her and sharing rides to ASU with her as we were taking classes one summer. During our times together I got to know more about her family and how devoted she was to them. After we both retired we occasionally met for lunch with other friends and continued our friendship. I’m sorry to hear of Mary’s passing and will be keeping her family in my prayers!
Itsy Wells
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Loved Mr. Steed and his family. We didn’t live very far from each other. So sorry for the family.
Christine Shoemake
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
To Mary Virginia's family. I've known her since we were children. My sister worked at Steeds and through my sister, I met her. She married into the Forrester family who were friends of my family all those years ago. We were from Etowah, AR. As I have seen her now and then, we always would catch up to date. I remember as a child she had very long hair that was styled into pig tails. The last time I saw her, they were preparing to move to Memphis. I am sad to know I will not see my friend again. May Jesus comfort all of you as you live life with your memories of her.
Vin & Vicki Speck
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Our love and prayers to my dear friend Mary Virginia , what a wonderful time we had together from first grade through the Twelfth..
Pat Vaughn
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Mary was special lady. You all are in my prayers. God Bless. 🙏♥️
Maurice Rider
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Love and prayers for Mary's family!
Russ
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Mary Helen Jayne and I send our sincere condolences to you and your family as you mourn the loss of your beloved Mother. We know how much she was loved by all who knew her especially by you.
I only knew her briefly, but it was enough to know that she was a very special Lady. She will be missed.
Mary Carrier
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Please know your dear Mom & lovely family are in our thoughts & prayers!
Peggy/ Lynn Greenwell
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Such a gracious lady. Enjoyed being with her when Lynn and his cousins would get together.
Linda Warhurst
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
So sorry for your loss. Mary was such a fine lady. She will be missed by so many people in our small community
Mark and Marie Arnold
Monday, February 2, 2026
A marriage brought us together, but love made us family. Mary ‘s love of family and life is instilled in us all. While we will miss her , Mary’s spirit , memories, and strength will forever be with us. All our love and prayers to Mary Helen, Paul and Keith .
Stephen Forrester
Monday, February 2, 2026
My deepest sympathies to Mary Helen, Paul David and Keith and their families.
So very sorry to hear about Aunt Mary passing. She was a loving mother and a good Christian lady always in Sunday school and church at the Whitten Baptist Church.
Laraine McClendon
Monday, February 2, 2026
Prayers of comfort and love
Laraine McClendoon and Family
Freda Ursery kirk
Monday, February 2, 2026
I remember her so well. She and her family were Dr. Swingle’s patients. She was a lady and I enjoyed knowing her..Bless her family.
Jamie Brigance
Monday, February 2, 2026
Mary was a wonderful lady! Deepest sympathy to the entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
David
Monday, February 2, 2026
Sorry for your loss Thoughts and Prayers
Cindy Longmire
Monday, February 2, 2026
My dear sweet friend Mary Helen, so sorry for the loss of your Mom. You were an amazing daughter. My thoughts are with you and all of the family.
Teresa Reynolds Hamilton
Monday, February 2, 2026
Prayers for all the family! ❤️
Mary was a dear friend and I will always have sweet memories of our church’s activities together!! ❤️
God bless Mary and God bless you all!!💕
Leslie Lancaster
Monday, February 2, 2026
She was such a great woman of faith. I was so grateful for her when she took my maternity leave at school. She was a saint!
My condolences go out to her family.
Renella Clemons
Monday, February 2, 2026
A dear lady whom I enjoyed having as a friend and colleague for many years. Her family was the joy of her life. My sympathies and love to Mary Helen, Paul, and Keith.
Judith Chiles
Monday, February 2, 2026
Love to all ❤️she will be greatly missed.
Terri Fairley
Monday, February 2, 2026
Lovely, lovely lady with a heart full of kindness and love. Mary Virginia, I will miss you.
Kim Holthouse
Monday, February 2, 2026
Very sad to learn of Mary’s passing. She was one of the nicest people I have ever known. My prayers and condolences for her family.
Willis Forrester
Sunday, February 1, 2026
My deepest sympathies to Mary Helen, Paul and Keith. You have lost a loving mother and we’ve all lost a wonderful lady and friend. She will be in my memory forever. With sincere love.