Mary Searcy

1929 - 2015

Mary Jones Searcy

Madison

Mary "Ruth" Jones Searcy departed this life on October 28, 2015. She would have turned 86 on November 16.

Amazing Grace was not only her favorite hymn, but also describes her impact on her family and all of those whom she counseled. You see, after a successful battle with addiction, at age 50, Ruth embarked on a more than 25-year career counseling addicts in the metropolitan area. She touched more lives than we will ever know. In the late 1990s, she was awarded Counselor of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals.

Her greatest gifts were her incredible musical talent and her unwavering stamina and willpower. One was never in wonder about what was on Mama's mind. She was always clear, matter of fact, and to the point. Once she made up her mind, she possessed the willpower to do whatever needed to be done. At 80, Mama was diagnosed with kidney cancer and successfully survived the removal of one kidney. Her doctor advised that smoking had caused the cancer and Mama told the doctor that "well, I can quit that too" --which she did, that very day. Again, amazing determination and willpower. She lived by the 12 Step Program and the Serenity Prayer.

She was born on November 16, 1929 in Johns, Mississippi, the third child of Mary and C. T. Jones, Sr. She married J.C. Searcy, Jr. in 1953 with whom she had four children. Their first born, Harriett, was very special and had a tremendous impact on all of our lives. Mama's grandchildren and great grandchildren fondly called her "WooWoo". Thinking she was too young to be called grand "anything" when her first grandchild was born, she insisted on being called "Mama Ruth", which turned into "WooWoo", and stuck.

Mama's favorite past time in the last few years has been keeping in touch on Facebook. She was more proficient with that technology than many youngsters. In her last few weeks with family, she made it clear that she knew where she was going after departing this earth and she was completely at peace. Mama told us recently that she wanted her obituary to be very short, like: "she loved God, her family and her friends." Well, she is probably mad at us now, but I guess we will deal with that later. We look forward to the day we will join her, our beloved sister Harriett, and our Dad.

Mama was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, C.T. Jones, Jr.; and her beloved special daughter, Harriett Elizabeth Searcy.

Survivors include daughters, Mary Anna Searcy Sheppard Ingram (Lenard); Betty Ruth Searcy Fox (Henry); and son: J. C. (Jake) Searcy, III; grandchildren, Mitchell "Mitch" Sheppard, Jr. (Angie); Searcy Fox; and Drew Brees Fox; step-granddaughter, Ashley Ingram Kittrell (Brian); great-grandchildren, Mary Gracen Sheppard, Reed Sheppard; step great grandchildren, Ava Kittrell and Karsyn Kittrell; sisters, Elizabeth Jones Martin Mosley (Charles); and Louise Jones McCrory (Quitman); and sister-in-law, Chesteen Jones McCaskill.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2015, at the Chapel of the Cross, Madison, Mississippi beginning at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Funeral service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.