Mary Louise Dyer's Obituary
Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}Not the Life For MeMary Louise Dyer was born in Bounds Crossroads, Mississippi, and moved to the small town of Hanceville, Alabama when she was very young. Her father worked for the railroad during the Depression, so her family was cared for. Mary would tell the tale to her children that to go to school she would have to walk several miles and swing on a vine to get over the creek to catch the bus. Her children always thought this story to be a typical tall tale, but research proved that she did in fact travel the two miles to the creek that necessitated a vine-crossing in order to get to the main road. Such determination would mark much of Mary’s life. At 18, after graduating from high school, Mary ventured off of the property for good and set off for a better life on her own in Nashville, Tennessee. An Independent WorkerMary attended Beauty School upon her arrival in Nashville and lived at the YWCA. She began cutting hair and received her Beautician’s License. Her career path would also include work within the florist industry and then, most predominantly, work within the Circuit Court Office in Nashville as a Clerk. As a clerk, Mary built and maintained a reputation as an excellent worker, who was always helpful. She had that reputation of “If I can do anything about it, I will.” The True Beauty Mary, MarriesMary’s beautician background made itself evident in her own presentation. She was always impeccably dressed. Every hair was always in place and her makeup always done; you didn’t catch Mary (except maybe in her garden) looking any other way but perfect. Such beauty attracted the attention of her first husband whom she married in 1950. Together they had three sons, Eddie, John and Len, followed soon after by the tragic passing of her husband. This beauty remained a single parent until 1972, when she married the milkman! Unfortunately, this marriage was only to last a year as he was struck with a brain tumor and passed the following October. Keeping BusyMary was always keeping busy with something. Her children recall that at times you would phone Mary to do something and she would respond, “Well, if you called me early in the day, I could have done that, but now I have plans.” Mary always had something to do or look forward to. Much time was spent with friends, shopping or travelling. She enjoyed trips to Alabama with friends and her sisters, ventures to the Smokey Mountains, cruises, and a visit to the World’s Fair in Knoxville. When her friends and siblings passed on, Mary turned her busy schedule to focus on her family and garden. Mary loved to garden, sometimes showing up at the homes of her children in the middle of the day with a new bush or shrub. Even into her 70s, Mary could be found out cutting grass in the 90 degree weather. Mary also busied herself with her enjoyment of sports. She would love to go outside with her children and grandchildren to play ball. She loved the Braves and the Celtics and was an active member at the local golf club in her early days of marriage. She was also very active in church; becoming a member of the choir for many years and making trays of cookies to take with her on any given Sunday. Family and FoodMary’s children and grandchildren credit much of Mary’s busy activity to caring for them; she loved her family, most of all, she loved to feed them. She was always making a home full of food and then apologizing that there wasn’t enough. Mary became known for her generous servings, so much so, you’d ask for a piece of pie and you’d get a quarter of the pie! Mary would want to spend as much time with her grandchildren as possible, often phoning her own children to indicate they should go out for the night, thereby allowing Mary to care for them. She was always available when needed and would often come to the rescue when the grandchildren were sick, taking care of them with a remedy of Rice Krispies and Sprite…an apparent “cure-all”. Pride and JoyMary’s proudest moments were seeing her children marry and have families of their own. In return, the family saw Mary as a source of pride and joy for them. Her granddaughter recalls reference made to Mary from people at the Circuit Court, where she is now employed, that “25 years after Mary’s retirement everyone still speaks so fondly of her. It surprised me that her memory has had such an impact.” Mary’s impact on her family and all of those around her is summed up beautifully by her daughter-in-law saying, “Mary had a servant’s heart. She just wanted to do what she could, whenever she could…be that for her family, friends, or for someone in the church.” Truly MissedMary’s humility is the legacy she leaves behind. She always wanted others to do their best and to remain humble. Mary passed away on July 18, 2012. She is survived by her sons, John (Leigh) Dyer, Len (Pam) Dyer; grandchildren Bethany (Tim) Hulan, Greg (Hanihe) Dyer, Jordan Dyer; and great-grandchildren Claire and Cooper Hulan.
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