Mary Dixon Ware
March 2, 1938 - August 12, 2019

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Memorial Service for Mary & John Ware Stephenson-Dearman Chapel 943 Hwy 425 N. Monticello ,  AR 71655 9/14/2019 at 11:00 a.m. Map & Directions   Second Chance Fundogs P O Box 322 Monticello, AR 71657

Mary Dixon Ware, 81, of Monticello passed away on August 12, 2019. She was born March 2, 1938 in Blackshear, Georgia to Mary and George Dixon. After graduating from high school, Mary moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University. It was in Atlanta that she met her future husband, John Thomas Ware. The two wedded on January 9, 1960 and went on to have four beloved children: Johnny, Gina, Kip and Jeff.

In the early 1970's, Mary moved with her family to Monticello, Arkansas where she quickly immersed herself in the community and social life of the small town. As a mother to four young children, Mary became involved with their extracurricular activities, shuffling the kids from football practice to tennis lessons. On many occasions, she found herself and active participant in their school activities. Her sons like to remember the days she spend as a substitute teacher at Monticello High School.

Mary was a fiercely loyal friend who never met a stranger. Upon her arrival in Monticello, she immediately began to build friendships that lasted a lifetime. Mary was a member of a Bridge Club that helped form her group of friends who were there for her until her last days.

Mary's greatest accomplishment in life was being a "Grammie" to five grandchildren who she helped raise into adulthood. She was a thoughtful gift-giver by nature – a trait she passed down to each generation of the Wares. Her grandchildren could always count on receiving a card from Grammie for every holiday and having a birthday cake made specifically for them (even the twins got separate cakes on their birthday). There's a joke that Grammie never failed to sneak pecans in each of her confections even when asked not to. But despite her inability to exclude the pecans, Mary exemplified the admirable qualities that make grandmothers such a treasure.

She was a life member of the Monticello Junior Auxiliary and a devout volunteer and board member of Options, a local group that offers support to young women and their children. Her interests and involvement extended beyond the local community into politics. For several decades, Mary worked at election polls and in the late 80's, she joined the Arkansas Travelers for the Clinton presidential campaign.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, five brothers, and her husband of 59 years, John Thomas Ware. She is survived by her four children: Johnny (Amanda) Ware of Little Rock; Gina Gibson of Dermott; Kip of Little Rock; and Jeff of Benton; and her five grandchildren: Kristen Gibson of Little Rock; Charles Gibson of Little Rock; Madeline Gibson of Atlanta, Georgia; Courtney (Blake) Endsley of Dermott; and Reece Ware of Fayetteville; and two brothers, Johnny and Ralph of Georgia.

The following is a note written by Mary in 2015 to her children and grandchildren: "May you find a job and a career that will excite as well as reward you. May you find a partner who treats you with love, respect, and support in all your endeavors, and enhances your life. May you always make wise choices and look on those you love with tenderness, forgiveness, and compassion, and may they do the same for you. May your future children always delight and appreciate you. And may the best in life be yours!"

John Thomas Ware, 85, of Monticello passed away Thursday, April 4, 2019 after a long illness. He was born January 31, 1934 in Tennille, Georgia to the late Lollie and Henry Ware, Sr. He was preceded in death by his brother, Henry Ware. He was employed by Burlington Industries for over 40 years where he became division manager over all three plants located in Monticello. John enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing. In his later years, gardening became a real passion. But above all else, he loved his family. He will be deeply missed by his surviving family and friends. Mary D. Ware, his wife of 59 years. Children, Johnny (Mandy) of North Little Rock, Gina Gibson of Dermott, Kip Ware of Star City, and Jeff Ware of Benton. Along with his grandchildren: Kristen Gibson, Charles Gibson, Madeline Gibson, Courtney Gibson Endsley, and Reece Ware.

Memorial service for Mary and John Thomas will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Monticello 2nd Chance Fur Dogs. PO Box 322, Monticello, AR 71655Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.