Mary Jane Underwood

Mary Jane Christmas Underwood was born February 13, 1939, in Crockett County, Tennessee, to Charles William and Mildred Evans Christmas. She died June 27 in Searcy, Arkansas, of complications from kidney failure.

She graduated in 1957 from Haywood High School, Brownsville, Tennessee, as co-salutatorian. In 1961, she received a bachelor's degree in English Education from Harding College (University) in Searcy, Arkansas. Following graduation, she served as a missionary in New England. From 1970 on, she lived in Searcy.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Eugene Underwood, and four children: Lawrence Underwood Jr. (Molly), Sheila Vamplin (Drazen), Lisa Fuller (Jason), and Alan Underwood (Lori).

She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Escue (Jerry) and one brother, Charles William Christmas Jr. (Carolyn).

She is survived by nine grandchildren and was preceded in death by one.

After teaching school for two years, she devoted the remainder of her life to being a homemaker. When her children were grown, she increased her ministry through World Bible School. In the 1990's, she made several short-term mission trips to Hungary, making numerous friends with whom she has remained in life-long contact. After she could no longer go to Hungary, she served the community locally through Meals on Wheels. Prior to 2006 she and her husband were members of the College Church of Christ; since that time, they have continued their ministry together at Cloverdale Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Camp Wyldewood for Campus Scholarships.