Mary Edna Harper

MARIONMary Edna Harper, 86, of Marion passed away at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin. Mary was born February 8, 1921 in Marion, the daughter of Kenneth D. and Julia (Crenshaw) Alexander. She was a great granddaughter of Robert and Jane Crenshaw, early settlers of Williamson County and founder of Crenshaw Crossing. She married William M. Harper in Benton on October 24, 1936. They shared sixty-one years of marriage until his death on October 20, 1998. Mrs. Harper was a member of First Baptist Church in Marion where she helped cook many Wednesday night suppers in earlier years. During her younger years she worked at Universal Match Corp., Motel Marion as a pastry cook and Walkers Market. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Jo and C.W. Moore, of Paducah, KY, Donna and Bill Atkisson of Marion, daughter-in-law, Fran Harper. Twelve grandchildren also survive, Ron Harper, Jr., Greenville, IN; Darlene Eader, south of Carbondale; Debbie Moore, West Frankfort; Pam Boner, West Frankfort; Bill Frye, Norfolk, VA; Chris Lavine, West Frankfort; Sean Lavine, West Frankfort; Bill Atkisson, Jr., Marion; Tim Atkisson, Marion; Lara Myers, Tulsa OK; Cristie Wooten, Paducah, KY and Jennifer Killman, Paducah, KY; many great grandchildren. Her husband, her parents, one son, Ronald D. Harper, one brother, Clarence Alexander and five sisters, Dora Sanders; Ailene Leitz; Bessie Perry; Lena Frye-Slater and Evelyn LaForge preceded her in death. Graveside services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Maplewood Cemetery in Marion with Rev. David Hancock officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home; 800 N. Market Street; Marion, IL. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com