Mary Lee McHenry

Mary Lee Darr McHenry, age 84, died peacefully in her sleep on February 17 in Little Rock. Since a traumatic stroke in 2018, Mary Lee had been a resident at Presbyterian Village, where she was treated every day with kindness, love and respect by the entire staff. We are also thankful for the extra care that Arkansas Hospice provided over the last few months.

Mary Lee was born on June 19, 1938, in Atkins, Arkansas, the daughter of Percy Porter Darr and Frances Guice Darr. Mary Lee moved from Atkins to Conway as a teenager and attended Conway High School. She graduated from Hendrix College in 1959 with a BA in English Literature. After staying at home with her three daughters, she built a career as an independent business woman, first with the creation of Fresh Herbs for Gourmets, one of the first local businesses selling fresh herbs and edible flowers to grocery stores and restaurants in the Little Rock area, and later as the owner of the Cottage Collection, a small antique store in Hillcrest. Mary Lee was an avid gardener, a member of the Pulaski County chapter of Master Gardeners, and took great pride in her home gardens. She was an active member of the community at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and served as a volunteer and tutor with the Little Rock School District. While raising her daughters, Mary Lee was a devoted PTA volunteer in their schools and with the Little Rock PTA Council. She loved Arkansas Razorback basketball, traveling over the years to watch them play in the NCAA Tournament and even to Hawaii for the 1994 Rainbow Classic. A few of her favorite things included strawberry shortcake, summer beach trips with her family, her book club and bridge clubs, hosting parties, traveling, flowers, and cats, of which she had many over her lifetime. Most importantly, Mary Lee was a loyal mother, grandmother, partner and friend, and still kept in touch with friends from all points in her life.

Mary Lee is preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Anna Kate McHenry, and her partner of twenty five years, Bill Sneed. She is survived by her daughters Fran McHenry Carter (Jimbo) of Little Rock, and Lisa McHenry White (Rich) of Chevy Chase, MD; and their children Casey Carter of Little Rock, and Hannah, Charlie and Lee White of Chevy Chase, MD.

A memorial service at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church will be held at a future date. Memorials may be made in her honor to Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, 1400 W. Markham, Suite 306, Little Rock, AR 72201. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home.