Mary graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1956 and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Jacksonville State University. She taught elementary school at John Jones Elementary until her retirement. A woman of faith, Mary loved her church, First Baptist Church of Walnut Grove. She was married to her high school sweetheart, James W. Putman, for 42 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Putman; her mother, Myra Jo Simmons; and her sisters, Nancy Hill and Billye Jean Smith.
She is survived by her son, Roger Putman, and his wife, Judy; her grandchildren, Tanner Putman and his wife, Sierra, of Auburn, Miley Stansell, and Jackson Stansell; and her great-grandchildren, Myles Putman and Madden Putman. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Phil Hill; her niece, Dr. Shelly Montgomery, and her husband, Jeff; her nephew, Larry Smith and his daughter Hayden Smith; her great-niece, Cat Meuller, and her husband, Nick; her great-great-niece, Charlotte Meuller; and her special friends, Kathy Goolsby, Sandy Davis and Sister-in-Law Dianne Layton (Joey).
The family extends special thanks to the third-floor CCU staff at Riverview Regional Medical Center and to Mary’s neighbor, Connie Waller, for their care and kindness.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 28, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until noon at Morgan Funeral Chapel. A chapel service will follow at noon, with burial at Altoona–Walnut Grove Cemetery Rev. Phillip Fowler will officiate.
