Born June 29, 1933, in Ozark County Mary Ann McGinnis Searcy was born June 29, 1933, in Ozark County, the eldest of three children of Lonnie Jones and Bessie (Lansdown) Jones Pyland. She departed this life Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at Rocky Ridge Manor, Mansfield.
On May 4, 1950, Mary and Junior Ray McGinnis were married in Manilla, Ark., and to this union eight children were born. On Feb. 28, 1986, she was united in marriage to Jack Searcy.
Mary worked as a young girl picking cotton and vegetables, and later in nursing homes and factories. Mary loved to sew and stitched every garment and quilt for her family with love. She was a loving wife, mother, friend and most importantly, a Christian. All through her illness she relied on her faith in God for her strength.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Franklin, her sister, Ruth, the father of her children, Junior McGinnis, a daughter, Susan, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Jack, of the home; one son, Jackie and Marylyn McGinnis, of Thornfield; six daughters, Sharon and Russ Thompson and Sandra Beck, both of Springfield, Sheila Greene, of Kimberling City, Selina and Rick Burchett, of Ava, Judy and Mike Jones, Rogersville, Teresa and Stacy Miller, Ava, and two stepsons, Fred and Doris Searcy, Ava, and Alvin and Irene Searcy, Brixey; and one stepdaughter, Martha Searcy, of Iowa. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) in the Ava Family Funeral Home, with burial in the Hilo Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
