Mary Udouj

Mary was born on March 31, 1938, to Christine Augusta Carletti and Frank William Youmans. She graduated from St. Anne’s Academy in Fort Smith, attended Maryville College of the Sacred Heart ( now Maryville University ) in St. Louis, Missouri, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas.

Throughout her life, Mary was an active and valued member of both her church and her community. She was involved in organizations including Chi Omega Fraternity, both locally and nationally, the Junior League of Fort Smith, St. Edward Mercy Hospital, the University of Arkansas Alumni Association, the Girl Scouts of America, and the American Cancer Society.

Mary’s greatest passion was education and creating opportunities for future generations. In honor of that commitment, The Mary Youmans Udouj scholarship has been established at both Maryville University and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

Mary lived life fully and generously. She put others before herself, believed deeply in the power of education, and encouraged everyone around her to pursue a brighter future. She was known for her warm smile, gracious spirit, and welcoming heart. She remained forever grateful for her parents, siblings, husband, children, and grandchildren.

Mary was deeply loved and a beautiful inspiration to those who knew her. She had a gift for sharing life lessons and offering simple wisdom about how to live well. Beautiful inside and out, she brought joy to those around her. The sound of her voice and her lively joyful laughter will stay with us always. Her kindness, her concern for the happiness and safety of others, her warm embraces, and her words of wisdom will be remembered and cherished forever.

We are eternally grateful to the Mercy Hospice medical team; Krista, Kim, Erica, Jennifer, Donna, and many others. You truly are living angels, and we thank you for being with us on this final journey of Mom’s life.

To our daily and nightly caregivers who have been with us since 2020, words cannot fully express our love and gratitude for the care you gave our precious mother. Thank you immensely Marisa, Krystal, Yvonne, Charlotte, Rakeem, Chelsea, Kim, Felicia, Hank and Bruce. We are so blessed to have had you in our lives, and you will forever be a part of our family.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Natalie Devero of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter Ryland Devero Mulka and her husband Kyle, and great-granddaughter Eliza of Alexandria, Virginia; granddaughter Gretchen Devero Dyer and her husband Brandon, and great-granddaughter Marlowe of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; grandson Richard Devero and wife Ashley of Dallas, Texas; son, Brother Reginald Udouj O.S.B. of Subiaco, Arkansas; daughter Cristelyn Johnson and husband Chip of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and grandchildren Mary Frances Roebuck of New York City, Rebecca Roebuck of Denver, Colorado, Frank Udouj, Jr. of Cody, Wyoming, Kayte Udouj of San Francisco, California, and Grace Udouj of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Christine and Frank Youmans, her sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Youmans and Madeline Dinwiddie, her beloved husband Richard Udouj, and her son Frank Udouj.

Pallbearers will be Bill Bartow, David Craig, Richard Devero, Richard Downing, Mike Esposito, Kyle Mulka, Frank Udouj, Jr., and Don A. Smith. Brandon Dyer will be an honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Mary’s scholarships in her name so that her dream of making the world a better place through education may continue; Maryville University, Development and Alumni Relations, 650 Maryville University Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63141 or UAFS Development Office, PO Box 3649, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913.

Visitation will be at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with a Rosary beginning at 6 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Boniface Catholic Church with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.edwardsfuneralhome.com