SHERLAND, JR, MARK E - Desha County, Arkansas | MARK E SHERLAND, JR - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Mark E SHERLAND, JR

McGehee Cemetery
Desha County,
Arkansas

Mary Jane
Aug 10, 1915 - May 30, 2015
Mark, Jr
Sept 2, 1913 - Dec 3, 2000

Obituary
www.griffinculpepper.com

God answered Mary Jane Thompson Sherland’s prayer when she reached 99 years, 9 months, and 20 days. Mary Jane was one of the lucky ones who had her life’s hopes fulfilled during her 99+ years. Her beauty lay not only in her outward looks but also in what she did for others: her family, her church, her community. Because of her character, Mary Jane empowered and encouraged her family and those whom she knew. She had compassion for people in need. In her eighties she made time to take to a McGehee grocery store an elderly man who had no car but who had worked for forty years alongside Mary Jane in the Sherland’s large yard.

Mary Jane’s role as mother was a model for every parent. Her dear husband, Mark E. Sherland, Jr., and her three children were her treasures. She never failed to nurture them. She was proud of each of her children with their different personalities and talents. All three children inherited their parents’ musical talents, and, in fact, one of the memorable family times was when the five of them gathered around the piano in the living room and sang: Daddy sang bass, Mother sang soprano, Mark Thompson was the tenor, Sue’s part was second soprano, and Ann gave the alto part her best effort. Their harmony was exceptional since all had good voices that blended well, and their musical get-togethers were to reinforce family camaraderie, for all of them loved the others very much.

Mary Jane was born on August 10, 1915, in Arkansas City, AR. Her family lived there until moving to McGehee in 1927. Mary Jane graduated from McGehee High School in 1933 and continued her education at the University of Arkansas from where her father had graduated in 1909. In fact, it became a family tradition for the Sherland family to attend and graduate from the state’s University: Mary Jane in 1937, Ann in 1961, Sue 1967, Shannon - Mary Jane’s granddaughter, in 1984, Mike-Mark’s son, in 1996, and Meredith-Mary Jane’s great-granddaughter, in 2013. Mark, Mary Jane’s husband, with whom she celebrated 63 years of marriage, was also a UofA student as well as a Razorback football player from 1931-35. Because of Mark’s association with the Hogs, Mary Jane joined the “Rootin’ Rubes,” the team pep squad, and she was selected as a member of the Homecoming Court. In addition, Mary Jane pledged/was initiated into Chi Omega fraternity as were her daughters, granddaughter-Shannon, and great-granddaughter-Meredith, giving the girls another common memory of their time at the University of Arkansas.

At the end of World War II, Mark, Mary Jane, and their three children returned to McGehee, AR to begin their family life. Mary Jane quickly merged into her civic and church responsibilities. She was president of the McGehee Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the D.A.R., a kindergarten teacher for ten years, and in 1985 the community of McGehee selected her as its “Woman of the Year.” At McGehee Presbyterian Church, she not only taught Sunday School and sang in the choir, but she was also the president of the Women of the Church. At the church, everyone remembers Mary Jane’s cooking talents; in addition, she also prepared meals for those members who were ill or had surgery and needed help to feed their families. Mary Jane had a good life in McGehee with so many happy memories. God blessed her with a wonderful husband, obedient children, outstanding parents, exceptional grand and great-grandchildren, good in-laws, a loving sister, Bess Thompson Parker, and respect from the community. She was one of those people whom everyone loved and to whom they turned in time of need, including her own family. Mary Jane was the pillar around whom the family received its strength and love. She was a good, sweet person who believed only in building up others, not tearing them down. She saw the best in everybody and every situation. The Sherland family has had a long history in McGehee.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, W.E and Etta Martin Thompson, her husband, Mark E. Sherland, her son, Mark T. Sherland, and her sister, Bess Thompson Parker.

She is survived by her daughters, Ann McCollum, (Ret. Lt. Col. Jack) of North Little Rock and Sue Dablock (Joe) of Conway and her daughter-in-law, Pat Sherland Day (Raymond) of McGehee.

Surviving grandchildren include: Shannon Duke (Troy) of Little Rock, Alex Rial (Heather) of Crossett, Courtney Kleinbeck (Dr. Seth) of Stuttgart, Matt Rial (Holly) of McGehee, Marcy Smith (Bryan) of Newport, Sarah Jane Thiele (Mitchell) of Fort Smith, Dr. Mark T. “Mike” Sherland, Jr. (Dr. Jackie) of Ridgewood, NJ, and also Elizabeth Dablock Roe (Jason) of North Little Rock, Melissa Dablock of Charleston, SC, Sondra Derden (Jason) of Benton, and Lara Lucas (Spencer) of Memphis, TN.

Surviving great-grandchildren include: Meredith Duke; K.W., Sam and Evan Rial; Carson and Pate Kleinbeck; Avery, Alden and Adeline Rial; Garrett and Madalyn Smith; Mark Mitchell Thiele; Andrew and Liam Sherland; Becklyn Roe; Spencer and Ethan Lucas. A niece and two nephews also survive her.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church in McGehee, officiated by Jim Hays of Conway. Memorials may be made to FPC, 302 North Fourth Street, McGehee, AR 71654 or to JDRF, 11324 Arcade Dr., Suite 16, Little Rock, AR 72212.

Honorary pallbearers are Alex and Matt Rial, Mike Sherland, Troy Duke, Bryan Smith, Mitchell Thiele, and Seth Kleinbeck. Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service handled arrangements. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com

Photo courtesy of ronald conrad;
ronaldconrad@att.net

Contributed on 3/1/18 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1212070

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Submitted: 3/1/18 • Approved: 3/1/18 • Last Updated: 3/4/18 • R1212070-G1212068-S3

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