Mary Lou LaFerney

Mary Lou LaFerney, 84, of Searcy, AR, went home to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, on January 7, 2021.  She was a kind and beautiful lady who did anything she wanted to do with joy and a zest for life for most of those wonderful 84 years.

Mary Lou was born on April 25, 1936 in Highland Park, MI to Myrtle and Harley Keeling Sr and her only sibling, big brother, Harley Keeling Jr (all previously deceased). Her family moved back to Arkansas when Mary Lou was very young and she was raised in the hills of Botkinburg, AR.

Mary Lou married Claude Alvin LaFerney on Dec 12, 1958 and has lived in Searcy since that time.  They raised 5 children together in the intervening years, Edward LaFerney, Marilyn LaFerney, David LaFerney of Barberton OH, Susan Stone (Gary) of North Little Rock, AR and Lisa Roberson (Robert) of Enola AR.  Her source of pride and much joy was her 5 grandchildren, Jake LaFerney (Stephanie) of Prosper TX, Meghan Judd of Conway, AR, Josh Roberson of Romance, AR, Mikaela Roberson of Conway, AR and Hannah Roberson of Enola, AR as well as her 7 great grandchildren.  She also has 3 very special and much loved in-laws that have meant so much to her for many years, Nita Olmstead of Beebe, AR, Gerald LaFerney of Cabot, AR and Cleo Milton of Searcy, AR as well as many nieces and nephews from AR and MI that love and cherish her.  Claude preceded her in death on January 15, 2008 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma in which Mary Lou was a constant nurse, helpmate and all-around angel to through all those years.

Mary Lou was a devoted member of Gum Springs Methodist Church since the early 1960’s helping with music, fellowships, VBS and anything else that was needed.  She was an exceptional seamstress, quilter and all-around handwork expert making many quilts, pillows, wall hangings and clothing for family, friends, and fundraising efforts.  She was also an exceptional cook and loved to provide wonderful food to her family and friends and especially for her husband who loved anything sweet, especially pie.

Mary Lou loved to sing and had a beautiful alto voice having learned at a very early age when her mom needed a part singer in a women’s quartet.  She passed that love of music and singing down to her children and grandchildren.  Mary Lou and Claude spent many years and traveled many roads going to bluegrass festivals, making friends and singing many, many songs.

After widowhood she found many new and wonderful friends and great joy in joining 2 church quilting groups at Faith Assembly Church and First Assembly Church.  She loved the ladies and the many hours of work, fellowship, eating and traveling with them.

Mary Lou has lost many loved ones through the years and has been eagerly looking forward to her heavenly reunion with Jesus and each of the people she has loved.

The family asks that masks and social distancing be observed to protect those that Mary Lou loved so much.