Mary Ethelyn Vollman

Mary Ethelyn Gibbs Vollman, age 94, passed away peacefully at the Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas on October 11th 2025. Her beloved husband, Don, and her children were by her side. Born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock, Ark on March 26th, 1931. Mary Ethelyn lived a life marked by resilience, love, and devotion to her family, church and community.

Mary was raised on a cotton farm “south of Scott, AR – behind a levee- 12 miles from England”. She was a bright child and entered second grade already reading at the age of 5. At the age of 16, her father drove her to Ouachita Baptist College where she was enrolled as a freshman. Mary graduated at the age of 20 not only with a degree in Home Economics but also with a husband, Marshall A. Jackson. Mary and Marshall had three children while he was enrolled in medical school, and she taught junior high science in the Little Rock school district. Following a courageous battle with brain cancer Marshall passed away in 1960.

A young friend of Marshall’s, a medical school classmate Dr. Don Vollman, Jr., made his way into Mary’s life and they were soon married taking three small children with them on their “honeymoon”. Not long after, Mary and Don would have two daughters of their own as he completed his residency in pathology while serving in the United States Navy. As an officer’s wife, Mary was told she “Must play bridge” and so she did…and she became very good at the game she would enjoy the rest of her life. In 1967, this big noisy family moved to Jonesboro where Don would practice medicine.

Mary described herself as a “teacher-homemaker” in a scrapbook she prepared for her grandchildren. She was a dedicated teacher, having taught science at Annie Camp Junior High and as a founding teacher at the Jonesboro Alternative School. But more than that, Mary was a leader. She had a dignified demeanor coupled with a charismatic smile and a sharp wit. Mary was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church and served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir and of the Presbyterian Church Women. At the Synod level, Mary served on the Commission on Ministry. She was on the boards of United Way, Junior Auxiliary, Nocturne Music Club and Chapter BN, P.E.O. She served all these organizations as president. She was a devoted member of St. Bernard’s Auxiliary, the Craighead-Poinsett Medical Board and the Friends of the Library Board. Mary enjoyed her membership in the Extension Homemakers Club and T.O.P.S. Club. To say she was active in her community is an understatement.

More than anything else, Mary was proud of her cherished husband of 65 years, Don, and her family. Mary is survived by her children: Debra Walden (Mike), Jed Jackson (Val), Melody Vollman (Karen), Faith Bowdon (Dudley) and daughter-in-law Lisa Melton. She leaves seven granddaughters: Leigh Kirkpatrick (Michael), Erin Moore (Zak), Molly Romero (Ross), Maddie Smith (Josh), Adrienne Jackson (Zack), Maria Kaufman (Hunter) and Sophie Galland (Brett) and two grandsons: Christopher Melton (Kayla) and Sam Melton. In addition, Mary leaves ten great-grandchildren: Willem, Walden, Lark, Rhett, Margot, Barrett, Liv, Jack, Harper, James and soon to be added baby Kennedy. This crew, in addition to a mob of Gibbs and Jackson nieces and nephews made for special family reunions.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Virgil James Gibbs and Viola Ethel Gibbs ; her brothers Virgil Alfred Gibbs and James Kenneth Gibbs and her beloved son Philip Alan Jackson.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of the St. Bernard’s Villa Memory Care unit who loved and cared for “Miss Mary” for so many months. We are also grateful to the professionals at the Flo & Phil Jones Hopice House for the compassionate care and support provided during Mary’s last days. The children are especially grateful to Faith and Dudley who have dedicated their time so generously to caring for our Mother.

A funeral service will be held November 7th, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church. Visitation begins at noon and the service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Mother requested that memorials in her name be sent to First Presbyterian Church, Jonesboro, The ALS Association or any favorite charity.