Mary Tooley (Hartville)'s Obituary
Mary Elizabeth Tooley, daughter of Taylor Wilson and Lou Ellen (Huffman) Ford, was born November 10, 1919, in Texas County, near Cabool, Missouri. She departed this life Sunday, June 27, 2010, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of ninety years, seven months and seventeen days.
In April of 1948 she was united in marriage to Harry James Tooley, and to this union six children were born. He preceded her in death on October 4, 1973. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Tom Tooley; a daughter, Rita Jane Tooley; seven sisters, Ada Antino, Pearl White, Edith White, Minnie White, Edna Hicks, Mae Collins and Ollie Hicks; three brothers, Roy, Bill and Bob Ford; five step-children, Jerry, Jim, James and Silver Tooley, and Goldie Jones.
Mary is survived by her children, Henry Tooley of Edwards, Missouri, Ruby Kennedy and her husband, Charles, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Wade Tooley and his wife, Betty, of Hartville, Missouri, and Bob Tooley and his wife, Marjorie, of Hartville, Missouri; twenty-one grandchildren, including Jack Tooley, Tom’s son, whom she raised as her own son, and Rosemary, whom she helped raise; a number of great and great-great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; three step-children, Delsie Hastings, Frances Starks and Ann Wilson; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born near Cabool, Missouri and the family moved to the Dugan area near Competition, and then to a farm north of there. After she and Harry were married they moved to Hartville, where she continued to live throughout her life.
Mary had professed her faith in Jesus Christ and she believed in the healing power of her Lord. One night at a revival, Mary prayed to the Lord for a healing touch for her granddaughter, Rosemary, and from that day on Mary was never the same. She centered her life around her family, and was very protective of them. Her known calm and caring spirit transformed to quite the fury to anyone who would bring harm to them. Receiving phone calls and visits from family and friends gave her great joy.
Mary was a hard worker. She split posts, cleaned houses, and worked on the farm, all while being a devoted homemaker to her own family. She did her own cooking and canning. In her spare time she enjoyed needle work, making her own clothes, and caring for her flowers.
Mary was a loving and devoted mother, cherished grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother, an aunt, and was a trusted neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed, and will live on in our hearts forever.
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