Mary Jo and I worked together from 1978 until I went to medical school in 1992. We was a dedicated Public servant. I last spoke with her around Christmas 2018. She had just retired and I was amazed at how her mind was just as sharp as the day I meet her. She was a lovely person and I will miss her.
Dr Sherlita (Reeves) Amler

Marye Jo was always a bright shining star to her son, Eric.    May your family cherish all the memories and May your generations be blessed.

The Stetzer Family :  Marye Jo was  a wonderful person who brightened everyone's day at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) ! She was a very hard worker at ADH as exhibited by her over 50 years of service to the State. I enjoyed working with her. She is now reunited with her beloved husband Rich who died suddenly on his lunch break near ADH. I remember that Marye Jo took the loss very hard. Marye Jo was a fun person  as shown by her anklet that she wore. She will be greatly missed. May she Rest in the Peace of Christ !  Reg Rogers, ADH Legal

I was blessed to have know Marye Jo for 18 years.  Whenever I would come to LR I would pick her up and we would go to lunch or dinner.   We met at an ASEA conference and bonded.  I worked for the ADC and I would assist her with items and she would help me.  I loved her and we always told each other.  I will miss her along with so many others.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family.  God bless

My wife and I met Mary Jo when we went to work at the Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Lab. My wife had the pleasure of working with her for 6 years and I got to know her through my wife. Not only was she a co-worker of ours but she got to be a family friend outside of work. We shared many lunches and dinners together and she even spent a week with us at our family farm when she retired. She blessed our family with her wit and warmth and I will miss her hugs and jokes. Rest in peace Mary Jo. We love you and will miss you and our prayers go out to her family and friends.

Marye Jo Stetzer was another mother of mine.  She was an icon at the Arkansas Dept of Health and loved by everyone that knew her!  Her wit was unmatched,  even if you heard her jokes before, you couldn't help but laugh again!!!  She loved her bright colors, heels and jewelry.  Today is her 93rd birthday and she always threatened me if I told that out loud. I sent her roses when I could and promised her I wouldn't publicize her age every year!  Sorry MJS, words out now!  I was fortunate to go see her just before she left LR to go to Jonesboro to be with her sons. She knows I loved her immensely so that helps. A piece of my heart goes with you Marye Jo 💔

Marye Jo was one of a kind.  She was the sweetest lady.  She was the most honest person I know.  She told it how it was and I loved her to pieces for it.  She never knew a stranger.  She always had a smile on her face for anyone she came in contact with.  I loved her to pieces.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.  My thoughts a prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.  


To know Marye Jo was to love her.  She was one of the most upbeat persons I've ever known,
upbeat in the face of personal adversity.....Always a smile and a nice word for everyone.
I worked with her at the Ark. Dept. of Health in Jonesboro for many years; traveled to the health depts. all over the county and to Little Rock.
I kept in touch with her thru the years, but to my regret, didn't call her to chat for the past years.   She'll be remembered by me - as the only person in Jonesboro who slept thru the terrible tornadoes that destroyed half of Jonesboro, including the high school.

I worked with Mary Jo for over 30 years at ADH. She was a joy to be around.my prayers are with the family during their time of sorrow..

I'm so sorry for the loss of Marye Jo.  She and I worked together for the last 6 years of her career at ADH in the same department and we became very close.  We went to lunch together and became concert buddies.  I invited her for a week year before last to spend with my family on our farm in the country.  We never hung up the phone that she didn't tell me she loved me and I told her the same.  I feel lost without her to call.  She was a beautiful person.  My whole family loves her.  The world is a little less colorful these days.  My prayers are with her family and the huge amount of friends she had.  Rest in peace, Marye Jo.  I love you.  

Marye Jo was a beautiful lady with a Kind, loving heart.  She was easy to love.  She always had a smile and kind words.  Prayers for her family and those who loved her and will miss her.

Loved this woman.  Always made us laugh, even if you had just met her.  Never a dull moment with her.  ADH will truly miss her as well as all her friends and family.  May God give the family peace and comfort during this time.

I am blessed to have known this, talented, smart, compassionate, amazing lady.  She will definitely brighten the heavens.  Rest In Peace sweet lady.  

  During the past 14 years I was blessed with a friend unlike any other.  I came to work at the ADH Public Health Lab in 2006, and my first day there I met a lady with a bright blue blazer, white walking shoes, large framed red glasses  and a pile of jewelry adorning her neck and hands. This was Marye Jo.
  She joked with everyone around and kept it lite because life was too short to do otherwise.  She became my administrative assistant after we moved into the new lab building and over the years she became a good friend.  She loved her family, and always had pictures proudly displayed; she also loved her music.  She kept season passes to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and frequented the Robinson theatre  more times in a year than I have in my whole life.  
  She was a woman who worked hard for the life she had provided to her family.  She kept working 50 years because she loved being around people and helping others. 
   Many people at the local health units will remember her from her light hearted calls about corrections and others for her days being the saucy emcee at APHA. 
  She is the only person that could get away with asking for a hug and telling clean but questionable jokes at work. Let’s not forget how she also always liked seeing a good looking young man come through the area.
Marye Jo was definitely both classy and sassy.  She was also quite proud of herself for having nice legs  and would dress up in her favorite maroon skirt set, dark hose, anklet, and loafers on doctor appointment days so she could show them off.  In the winter she would bring out the fur coat and bundle up in it like nobody’s business.
  We talked about everything, shared mystery novels, and looked out for each other, and I will miss this woman more than you can know. 

I began work at the Arkansas Department of Health when I was a teenager, and Marye Jo became a mom to me at work.  She always made sure that I was taken care of and took me under her wing like a mom would.  She had a wonderful personality, never meeting a stranger.  She also aged very gracefully. I will truly miss her and will be praying for her family.

I remember Marye Jo as a live wire and a lot of fun.   She helped me fit in and make friends at the health department and I’ve always appreciated that. 

I worked with Marye Jo at the Public Health Labs for many years.  I remember her involvement with the Office Professionals group.  She always had a funny story to share.  The last time I saw her was in April.  She had a great personality and I miss her.  

Marye Jo was one of the administrative support people that worked directly with the Director of Records & Clerical services when I started working for ADH in 1977 in St. Francis County, Forrest City. 
She was still working for ADH when I retired in 2012 after 35 years of service. 
I remember Marye Jo for the elegant way she always dressed, especially  the high heels she wore every day. She was tall and beautiful. She was friendly and a friend to everyone. She never made you wonder what was on her mind, because she spoke it plainly, and with humor; therefore, everybody loved her. She knew everybody and something about everything going on at ADH.  She was an encyclopedia for the department. 
She offered to let my son live with her and Rich until he found an apartment when he was in medical school in Little Rock. How sweet. 
She was my friend. I loved her. We kept in touch, even after I retired. I will miss her Christmas cards and/or phone calls. I am praying for the sons and the rest of the family. God loves you and He will comfort you in the days to come!

Ceretha Crowder
Forrest city, AR

I will miss my friend Marye Jo so much. I will miss her laughter, her jokes, and her love and friendship. RIP sweet lady. 

Stability certainly characterized Marye Jo--wow, 50 years without missing a day at the Department of Health! She was among the first I met there in 1984 and the last I've seen as we continued catching up at annual public health meetings. Always enthusiastic and joyful, Marye Jo buoyed me and left indelible memories. Significantly, she also exemplified public health (and other state) employees' dedication to friendly and professional service despite modest wages. So many will miss her distinctive and vivacious voice along with her upbeat attitude. Blessings and peace to her family and friends!

OBITUARY

Marye Jo Stetzer

30 August, 1927 – 19 August, 2020

Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home

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