Mary “Mae” Alice Whitfield

Mary “Mae” Alice Whitfield was born April 23, 1940, in Frenchman’s Bayou to Donald Fergerson and Christine Graves. She departed this life on Jan. 15, 2024, in Blytheville at her home.

Mary’s parents, Donald Fergerson and Christine Graves; her husband, Lennon W. Whitfield; four daughters, Maggie Weeden, Annie Thomas, Deborah Anderson and Michelle Whitfield; two brothers, Roosevelt Graves and Danny Graves; and four grandchildren, Quantal Thomas, Joshua Anderson, Kevin Razor and Laderion “NuNu” Thomas, all preceded her in death.

Mary was one of three siblings born and raised in Frenchman’s Bayou, where she attended J.M. Speck School as well as Golden High School in Turrell. While at Golden High School, she played basketball, and she excelled in it. Mary left school after the 11th grade and moved to Los Angeles, Calif., to live with her father. After a few years of living in California, she returned to Little Rock and attended cosmetology school. She later moved back to California and lived the majority of her life until she moved back to Osceola, where she lived until the last few years of her life.

Mary accepted Christ early in her life as her Lord and Savior. During the span of her life, Mary served with many congregations while never losing faith or trust in our Lord and Savior. She always held a special place in her heart for her Bible Way Church and church family in Blytheville.

Mary was blessed, bringing into the world 10 children, Christine Anderson, Darrick Fergerson Sr., Charlotte Miller, Elbert Thomas Sr., Maggie Weeden, Chalise Davis, Annie Thomas, Carla Johnson, Azzie Thomas and Donald Thomas; helped raise five children of her former husbands, Albert Thomas Jr., Betty Barnes, Barbara Starnes, Eddie Thomas Sr. and Deborah Anderson; helped raise three children with her husband, Latara Whitfield, Michelle Whitfield and Lennon D. Whitfield, and she raised three granddaughters as her daughters, Tomorrow Merriweather, Jasmine Thomas and Anna Whitfield. As well as she was blessed to find the love of her life, her husband Lennon W. Whitfield.

Mary “Mae” Alice Whitfield was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who had many great qualities. She was a great homemaker who was loving, supportive, understanding and strong-willed. She would do anything for her children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Mary leaves to cherish her memories her eight daughters, Christine (Johnny Sr.) Anderson, Charlotte Miller, Chalise (Ozell Jr.) Davis, all of Blytheville, Carla (Danny) Johnson of Merced, Calif., Azzie (Joe) Thomas of Osceola, Betty (Leroy) Barnes, Barbara Starnes, both of Blytheville, and Latara (Frank) Whitfield of Memphis, Tenn.; six sons, Darrick (Barbara) Fergerson Sr. of Merced, Calif., Elbert (Dorthy) Thomas Sr. of Blytheville, Donald Thomas of Merced, Calif., Albert (Harriet) Thomas Jr., Eddie (Carla) Thomas Sr., both of Blytheville, and Lennon (Shasta) Whitfield of Jonesboro; three sisters, Glady (Walter Sr.) Beard, Shirley Roberson and Brenda Graves, all of Shreveport, La. Mary also leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at Temple of Praise Church, 1601 E. Chickasawba, Blytheville from 10-10:55 a.m. with funeral services following at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Burdette.

Arrangements are entrusted to Gary Wolfe at Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home & Cremation, 634 W. Main Street, Blytheville, AR, 870-900-0010.