of Timbo, AR
June 22, 1919 - November 27, 2018
Obituary-Mary Lowe Kirby Williams
Mary Lowe Kirby Williams was born June 22, 1919, in Houston, Mississippi, to Rowland Cleveland Kirby, Sr., and Mary Ceola McEachearn Kirby. She left this earthly life peacefully in her sleep November 27, 2018.
Her father died when she was six, so growing up during the Great Depression made every day experiences difficult. Neighbors were considerate and helpful in any way they could be, sharing milk, vegetables, meat at hog-killing time and running water when a neighbor was unable to pay the water bill. Some were fortunate to have a wall telephone to share when neighbors could not afford one.
FDR formed the National Youth Administration which Mary Lowe joined, and with her first paycheck, bought her first winter coat. She considered herself fortunate to get a job as secretary for a building company. Later, she worked in the chancery clerk's office. Mary Lowe said the Depression was a very hard time, but they all still had hope.
A wartime bride, Mary Lowe met and married Don E. Williams in 1942, six months before he shipped out to Africa and the European Theater of Operations. Almost three years later, after his safe return, they finally honeymooned on the Gulf Coast. They were married for 62 years.
In Don's work as a geologist and mining engineer, the family lived in many places: Oregon, New Mexico, Missouri, Georgia, Washington, D.C., but always Arkansas was home. Don was the engineer on Blanchard Caverns, so they moved from Hot Springs to Mountain View. Wherever his work took the family, Mary Lowe made a home. They retired to Mountain View and enjoyed many peaceful years there.
Mary Lowe said her 99+ years were filled with happiness with family and contentment with Jesus Christ. She was devoted to her family and to playing organ and piano at church. She was the first organist in the Mountain View First United Methodist Church's new sanctuary. It was a post for which she volunteered until 1988. Music had always played a huge part in her life: in a jazz trio, for beauty revues, civic functions, and even playing trombone in a jazz orchestra.
Survived by daughters Kay Brewer Burton (Bob) of Timbo and Janet Mary Uttley of Heber Springs, grandchildren Katie Uttley of Russellville, Leanne Burton (Ian Johnson) of Orlando FL, Mary Ashley Burton of Los Angeles CA, Jordan Burton of Lexington KY, nephews Paul Miller of Lewisville TX, Tracey Kirby of Winston-Salem NC, Jon Terry Veazey (Anne) of Ringgold GA and Jack Veazey (Helen) of Simi Valley CA, nieces Kitty Sampson of Richmond VA, and Stevie Estes of Tupelo MS.
She was predeceased by her husband Don, her parents, his parents, her four brothers and their spouses, her sister-in-law and two nephews.
Funeral services were held in the Mountain View First United Methodist Church sanctuary Saturday, December 1, 2018, with Rev. Steve Johnson officiating. Internment was at the Historic Cemetery of Mountain View.