Mary Ann, the only child of the late Earl and Sadie (Mansfield) Barrett, was born November 1, 1925, in Marion, Kansas, where the father was a building contractor and her mother a homemaker.
Active in Marion schools, Mary Ann played clarinet in Junior and Senior bands, sang in the Girl’s Glee Club and mixed chorus. She was a member of Girls Reserve and the Sub Deb Clubs. After graduating from high school in 1943, she worked as a secretary of the Chamber of Commerce when the late Dr. Ralph Melton was president. Later, Mary Ann was employed at the Marion County Courthouse in the Farm Bureau, Noxious Weed Department. She worked there until 1946, when her high school sweetheart and fiancée, Monty Avery, returned home from Okinawa after serving in World War II, in the Army Air Corps.
Monty and Mary Ann were married May 15, 1946, at the Presbyterian Church in Marion. To this union, a son Barrett was born. After a few years, they transferred their church membership to the Evangelical Brethren Church. Due to the growing membership, a larger church was needed which became Eastmoor United Methodist Church in Marion.
When Barry was 10 years old, Mary Ann accepted a job as receptionist and secretary to the late Dr. Charles Magee. Later, she worked as a nurse aid at Spain Guest Home (Marion Manor) on Lawrence St. and a salesperson at the Sears Catalog store in Marion.
Monty’s health had been failing and in April of 1988, he died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 62. Two and a half years later, Mary Ann met Ivanlee Timm of Herington and they were married on Mary Ann’s birthday in 1990 by the late Reverend Charlie Harrison at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
After Mary Ann sold her home, she and Ivanlee moved to Hilltop Manor, where they met new friends and became reacquainted with old friends. Mary Ann served on the Activity Board for a few years.
She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, a past member of the Eastern Star and Ourslerites E.H.U., where she had served as chairwoman of Public Relations.
Among Mary Ann’s hobbies, she raised tropical fish in her home. Neighborhood children came to watch and learn all about them. She shared baby fish with the children to take home for their aquariums. Mary Ann enjoyed embroidering and crocheting. She was known as the “Angel Lady”. She created hand crocheted “Guardian Angels” four to a set: Faith, Hope, Love and Charity. They received much publicity and soon became very popular. Mary Ann shipped them to many different states.
Mary Ann enjoyed writing and composing music. The late Jean Holmes wrote lyrics to her music. “Twilight” and “Lisa” were published in 1962 by Lilburn Hoffman Publishing Company in Wichita. Four more songs were accepted but not published due to Mrs. Hoffman’s untimely death. One of them was titled “Marion, Our Hometown”. Jean and Mary Ann were delighted when Lawrence Welk wrote telling them that “Twilight” was placed in his music library.
Mary Ann, deeply religious, loved and served her Lord. At Eastmoor Church she was a past member of the Pastor-Parish Committee. She served in Evangelism Outreach, Fellowship and Memorial Committee.
At one time, she was Visitation Director, caring for Sunday morning attendance pads. Mary Ann enjoyed writing “Personality Profiles” of church members for a few years. She wrote articles in the “Visitor” newsletter and was editor of the children’s newsletter, “The Lighthouse”. She was a member of the “Harmony “Sunday School Class and Lydia’s Circle of United Methodist Women.
On May 12, 2002, Reverend John Goering renewed Mary Ann’s baptism by immersion.
Mary Ann passed away May 19, 2023, at St. Luke’s Living Center. She was a lifelong resident of Marion. She loved her hometown.
She had a smile for everyone, making friends easily and held them with unselfish love and devotion. She often said, “A stranger is a friend, I have yet to meet”. Mary Ann will not only be missed by her family but also by many friends. She has left an imprint on this community that will long be remembered.
She is survived by her son Barry (Marlene) Avery of El Dorado; grandchildren Amy Decker of Edmond, OK, Nolan Avery and Nathan Avery; two step grandchildren Charlie (Karee) Miller of Kansas City and Mike Miller of Wichita and great grandchildren Molly Unruh of Andover and Chip Miller of Kansas City. She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and granddaughter Angie Decker.
Mary Ann’s family will receive friends on Thursday May 25, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion where her service will be held on Friday May 26, 2023, at 2 p.m. She will be laid to rest in Marion Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Eastmoor United Methodist Church. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Mary Ann at www.yazelmeglifh.com.