Mary was born on July 11, 1920 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the youngest of the 4 children of Curtis Adolph Mees and Beulah Estelle Howell Mees. She is preceded in death by siblings Curtis Mees (Colette), Don Mees (Rosemary), and Dorothy ‘Dot’ Kendrick (Dick), all of whom lived into their nineties. Her father, a notable civil engineer and co-founder of Mees & Mees,Inc., was responsible for many civil projects in the southeast, including the creation of the dam for Lake Lure, the rebuilding of the trestle over Lake Summit, and the building of various power and water filtration plants in Tallahassee, Dunellon Fl, Newton, Tuxedo and Mooresville, NC, and Albany, GA; as well as the illuminating of historic Chimney Rock, NC. When Mary was 13 the family moved to San Francisco for one year as her father undertook a water salinity study. The family then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Mary was to meet the love of her life, L.J. ‘Jim’ O’Callaghan, marrying on Flagday, June 14, 1941. They became the proud parents of 6 children. In 1971 they moved to Naples, Florida where they lived until moving to Jacksonville in 1988. Mary loved her local church, Living Waters, and was blessed by many trips (at least 14!) to the Holy Land in her later years. Her greatest accomplishment was ever and always her family and the bond of love we maintain.
It would be hard to overstate our gratitude and appreciation for the legacy she has left to us, her family, and to the many others her life impacted. She was a woman of deep faith, incisive intellect and wit, laughter, and godly character. She loved Jesus, family, worship, music, dance, learning, and her stack of mail – which represented the many ministries she supported. You wouldn’t necessarily go to her for warm fuzzies or idle conversation, but you would go when you needed the best she had to offer: hope, faith, truth, love. She modeled perseverance in the storm and contentment/gratitude in the calm. We will miss all that she has been to us, even as we fully rejoice that she has been released from her greatly diminished body and mind. We love you, MomO, and are ever thankful for how you loved us and poured the gift of faith into our lives.
Mary is predeceased by her son James Howell ‘Jimbo’, and his wife Leah, survived by their daughter Sarah O’Callaghan and her 2 children.
She is survived by her 5 daughters:
Mary Kathryn ‘Marky’ Underwood (Ron) of Newnan, Ga and 6 children: Lisa MacNabb McGregor (Bill) and 2 children; Amy MacNabb Hughes and 5 children; Ben MacNabb (Cait) and 4 children; Sherrie Underwood Lamb (Russell) and 1 child; Ronnie Underwood (Jen) and 2 children; Michael Underwood.
Karen Lyons of Jacksonville, FL and 2 children: Danielle Barnes Maia (Roberto) and 3 children; Ryon Barnes.
Cindy MacNabb (Bill) of Atlanta and 3 children: Becky MacNabb Eyre (Roy) and 3 children; Sandy MacNabb Perry (Danny) and 1 child; Emily MacNabb Bruso (Adam) and 4 children.
Wendy Regas (Chris) of Jacksonville and 5 children: Anastasia Regas Houston (Casey); Meredith Regas Kurosko (Steve) and 3 children; Lloyd Regas (Maureen) and 5 children; Allison Regas Keener (Tyler) and 1 child; Zoe Regas Bloodworth (Eric).
Laurie Modlin (Gene) of Hickory, NC and 3 children: Thad Modlin (Emily) and 2 children, Hayes Modlin (Jessie) and 2 children; Hillary Modlin.
The family will plan a memorial Celebration of Life to be held in Atlanta later this summer when extended family is able to gather safely. At that time her ashes will be interred at Arlington Memorial Park in Atlanta, next to her beloved husband. Please check here for future updates on timing.
Please consider directing any memorials in her honor to:
Community Hospice Foundation
4266 Sunbeam Road
Jacksonville, FL. 32257
Or:
Living Waters World Outreach
96282 Brady Point Rd.
Fernandina Beach, FL. 32034
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