Mary D. Stringfellow

She was a child of the Great Depression, when she also survived six sisters and no brothers. Christmas was a bag of oranges.

Mary met Billy after the war during the sparking days of Midtown single-sex boarding houses: 1410 Goodbar. They became friends in October of 1948 and after the first date the market was closed. "When I met her I thought she was beautiful, and when I got to know her, I thought she was wonderful."

They married on April 1st 1949, and laughed about it every year, 65 April Fool's days in a row.

She could poke pinwheels out of a target using a Winchester 52 .22 rifle sporting a Lyman 10X Super Target scope, at the National Guard Armory at Central and Hollywood. Her feet knew the true path to the fishing jetties at St. Andrews State Park, and her hands the way around the business end of a spinning rod. She sacrificed year-round to help Billy fund two full weeks of Summer camping. No exceptions.

She loved blueberries and bags crowded the freezer. Magic was spun with white divinity, snow cream, pound cake, and cooked, homemade custard ice cream. Mary kept the treat drawer stocked with Little Debbie’s and peanut butter. She patiently threaded popcorn for the Christmas Tree, and giggled when we gave the dog Queenie every third bite.

Mary never shuddered at chemistry sets, steam engines, and car parts. Casting lead bullets and fishing jigs at the kitchen table was normal. Didn't everyone? She serenely outlasted bell bottoms, header pipes, long hair, and fraternity pranks. She knew the difference between a milling machine and a sewing machine, and was afraid of neither.

She taught children in Sunday School at Audubon Park Baptist Church for 20 years.

Mary loved any cause for celebration, and often earned it, as her family of nine children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren sealed three marriages and 11 college degrees.

Stage four lymphoma chased her for 14 years and she dodged and weaved through four rounds of chemotherapy, and never complained. To the last day and always, her opening words asked about grandchildren.

On Billy's last visit, Mary smiled and blew him a kiss, saying, "I will see you later."

In guidance for those in hospice, it is suggested we say to our dying loved ones, "I love you. I forgive you." Mary's Billy and boys could only say, "I love you."

There was nothing to forgive.

Mary is survived by her husband, Billy Stringfellow; sons Mark Stringfellow (Sherry) of Nashville, and Dan Stringfellow (Maria) of Memphis; grandchildren Melissa Plank (Mitch), and Alison Stringfellow of Nashville; Samuel, Alex, and Sarah Stringfellow, of Memphis; sisters Sally Thomas, Margaret Burnett, and Jean Hopper, all of Memphis; and Clarice Hanover of Los Angeles. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Alma Davis, and two sisters, Jamie and Jimmie Sue. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 9 from 12 pm until service time of 1 pm at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue. Burial will follow in Memphis Memory Gardens.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, or the Methodist Hospice Residence.