Mary B Earhart

Mary Willie Earhart passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the age of 100. She was born on November 26, 1925, in the Old Hebron Community of Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, the daughter of Lonas B. Buckley and Pearl (Smith) Buckley.

After graduating from New Hebron High School in 1943, she enrolled at Mississippi College earning her B.S. degree in Education. She married Hilas Clyde (H.C.) Earhart, Jr. in 1947. The newlyweds moved to Louisville, Mississippi. H.C. became principal and coach and Willie taught English and business classes until the birth of their children. Her family moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1955 for five years before moving back to Brandon, Mississippi, where their daughters went to high school. She went back to teaching at Florence High School until 1974 when she and her husband moved to Pell City, Alabama. Willie loved playing golf, bridge, and traveling the world with the love of her life, her husband of 70 years.

Old Hebron Church was her first church family, but wherever she lived she became involved in a new church family. She loved the Lord and faithfully studied the Bible until her eyes could no longer read the words.

Mary Willie is preceded in death by her husband Hilas Clyde Earhart, her parents, Lonas B. Buckley and Pearl (Smith) Buckley, three brothers: T. Weber, Elton “Tip”, and Harold Buckley and one sister Doris Buckley Cole.

She is survived by her three daughters, Cassie Dickson (Charles), Jolayne Powell (Mike), Pam Young (David), four grandchildren: Wicks Dickson (Kelly), Cody Morgan (Matt), Whitney Young, Shelby McDaniel (Mike), and 5 great-grandchildren: Drake Morgan, Cade Morgan, Cora Dickson, Addie Dickson, and Bennett Hilas Dickson.

Family graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 7, at New Hebron Cemetery, New Hebron, Mississippi.

Memorials may be made to Old Hebron Baptist Church, P.O. Box 124, New Hebron, MS. 39140; or to New Hebron Cemetery Asso., 978 Rockport Rd., New Hebron, MS 39140