Mary Norwood Marler

Mrs. Mary Norwood Marler, 103, of Brooksville, MS passed away Friday, October 16, 2020 at Elderly Care Center in Macon, MS.  A graveside service was held Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Brooksville Cemetery in Brooksville, MS.  Memorials may be made to Brooksville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 164, Brooksville, MS  39739 or Sweet Paws Rescue, P. O. Box 752, Essex, MA  01929.  Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to entrusted with arrangements.

Miss Mary was born December 6, 1916 to Eddie Lee and Martha Rosanna Moore Norwood in Noxubee County, MS. She was the youngest of eight children. She attended school in Brooksville and was the sole survivor of the class of 1934. Miss Mary loved attending the class reunions knowing she would always be the oldest and would receive roses and a gift.

Miss Mary worked for 40 + years at the Bank of Brooksville (later NBC and now Cadence.) She retired at 70 because she did not want to learn computers. She loved to crochet and bake. She made afghans for all the graduates and brides-to-be. Her specialty in baking was her pound cake. Her secret—have all the ingredients at room temperature. And she loved cats. She fed 10-12 feral kitties twice a day. She enjoyed her grand cats Remle Edward and Fuddle Dudley. They lived next door.

She dressed every day as if she were still working. She wanted to be ready in case she got an invite. She loved eating at Trail Boss—she refused to call it Wagon Wheel. She was faithful to the Brooksville United Methodist Church though she grew up Presbyterian. She was generous to her church, her family, and friends. She was strong willed-Mr. Joe called her stubborn. She refused to leave her home eleven years ago when a young man shot thru the recliner in which she was sitting. She moved to Elderly Care when she was 100. She had a beautiful smile and was loved by the aides and residents alike.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years, Joe S. Marler; her son-in-law, Butch Horne; two brothers, Pickens Norwood and Eddie (Doc) Norwood; and five sisters-Lucille Gilmore, Willie Mae Graham, Nita Ledbetter, Laura Cunningham and Elizabeth Eskridge.

Miss Mary is survived by her daughter, Linda Marler Horne of Brooksville; three nephews, Jack Ledbetter (Betty), Malcolm Norwood and Dr. Wm. Graham (Nancy); numerous nieces and nephews and several great, great, great nieces and nephews.