Mary Towers Parsons

Mary Towers Parsons, 86 of Searcy, Arkansas passed away Sunday, February 7, 2010 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was born January 6, 1924 in Dickson City, Pennsylvania to the late Thomas Smith and Helen Zalewski Towers. Mrs. Parsons was preceded in death by her husband of forty-four years, Richard G. Parsons, a daughter, Helen Cecile Parsons, and a grand-daughter, Cecile Michele Parsons.

She graduated from Dickson City High School and received her secretarial degree from Keystone Junior College, La Plume, Pa. Prior to her marriage, she was employed at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, N.Y. and then moved to Clearwater Beach, FL where she raised a family. Afterwards, she moved to Sylva, N.C. working at Western Carolina University as secretary to the Dean until her retirement. After retiring, Mary moved to Jacksonville Beach, FL but spent much time between North Carolina and family in Georgia and Arkansas. She was a member of the Sylva Church of Christ who dedicated herself to serving her Lord and her family.

Mary spent much of her last two years in Searcy, Arkansas to be near her children. Her passion in life was her unwavering faith and her family. Mary was a woman of substance, a ray of sunshine, one who will be remembered fondly.

She is survived by two sons, Tom (Priscilla) Parsons and Richard (Patty) Parsons, two daughters, Carol (Gene) Anderson and Julie (Ken) Main,. She is also survived by two sisters, Helen Madsen and Betty McKinney, Illinois, four brothers, William and Thomas Towers, Dickson City, PA., Robert Towers, Blakely, PA, and George Towers, Factoryville, PA. Mary has twelve grandchildren, Shri Martin, Mary Claire Parsons, Zach Ryder, Thomas Brock, Hunter and Tanner Main, Helen Wiley, David Anderson, and Johnanyan, Wheeler, Richard and Ashel Parsons, two great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Anthony Wiley, and a host of friends and other relatives all of whom will miss her dearly.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2010, 11:00 am gravesite service at Abington Hills Cemetery, Clarks Summit, PA.

Searcy, AR arrangements are by Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts be made to "Mission UpReach" c/o Campus View Church Of Christ; 196 Alps Road; Suite 2-395; Athens, GA 30606.