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Submitted: 9/16/14 • Approved: 9/16/14 • Last Updated: 9/19/14 • R1038692-G0-S3
1951 - 2011
*Obituary
Mary Monroe McCurry left her imperfect human form on August 27,2011 at the age of 59. She was born on October 24, 1951, the third daughter of Geraldine Monroe and the late Andrew N. McCurry.
She was the child her parents had longed for, yet a tragic accident at birth caused her to be severely physically handicapped by cerebral palsy. Because of her condition, she was never able to walk, talk, use her hands or be able to care for herself in any way. However, she devised a method of communication when she was about a year and a half old using her eyes. For those who took the time to learn to "talk" with Mary, they found a warm, loving, rather bawdy personality with a little streak of the devil.
She never demanded special attention although she needed it. Usually, her sweetness caused others to consider her in their activities. She had exceptional life experiences from her perch in a wheelchair. She went to many Razorback football games, played dress-up with her sisters, went along on dates with her sisters when they were teenagers, and had a private tour through Carlsbad Caverns. She was never one to complain or be downhearted. In spite of her severe handicap and multiple surgeries, she kept an upbeat attitude. If the others ran off, forgetting to take her, she would sit patiently until someone noticed. The only time she ever expressed displeasure was when children (niece or nephews) climbed on her wheelchair, requesting the mothers to control their offspring.
She went to a school for handicapped children for several years during her youth. She learned to read and her teachers said she was especially good in math and science. Her inability to use her hands or speak made advanced education impossible in the era in which she grew up.
She was a long time member of First Baptist church in Heber Springs, following her profession of faith and baptism as an adolescent.
Mary had a profoundly positive effect on those who knew her. For all her health and physical problems, she was dearly loved and she loved with an understanding beyond the ken of most people.
She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew McCurry in 1981. She was survived by her mother, Geraldine Monroe McCurry (now deceased), two sisters, Andrea Wade and her husband, Phil, and Marsha McCurry, three nephews, Keith Andrew Black, Christopher Reynolds and wife, Dani, and Jeremy Wade and partner, Jennifer Weinberg, and one niece, Rachel Lynn and her husband, Terry, two great--nephews, Colton Monroe Reynolds and Connor Moran Reynolds. She will be missed by all her extended family as well as those who drew inspiration from her beautiful spirit.
The difference in angels in heaven and those on earth is that the ones in heaven know they're angels.
Contributed on 9/16/14 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1038692