Mary Louise Morris Petrossian

Mary Louise Morris Petrossian

Decatur

Mary Louise Morris Petrossian, former FBI Clerk and retired Kroger Associate, died surrounded by family on December 4, 2013, after a brief illness. She was 77. Mary Louise reunites with her husband, Leon T. Petrossian, who preceded her in death in 2010.

She is survived by her daughter, Elaine of Philadelphia; her son, Leon; and grandson, Nicholas, both of Evington, Virginia. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Kelye Cox Petrossian; and son-in-law, Ted Rauch. A protective "big sister" to three beloved siblings, Mary Louise is survived by sister, Barbara Morris Evans of Elkmont, widow of Jesse Price "Shep" Evans II; brothers, Charles Morris and his wife, Marja and Joe Morris and his wife, Delores, all of Decatur. Mary Louise also leaves behind nieces, Beth Morris Veigl, Kathy Morris Jones, Shannon Morris Oden; and nephew, Joe Morris. She was adored by the Evans and Cox families, as well. She also leaves devoted friends; and caregivers, including Dottie Meherg, Joan Herzberg, Anne Brushwood and the staff at Our Lady of Peace, where she lived since 2009.

Raised in Decatur, Mary Louise blazed a trail to Washington, DC as a Clerical Recruit in Hoover's FBI, immediately after graduating from Decatur High in 1954. Defying her father's warning that "she'll be back in 6 months," Mary Louise loved big city life and built a rewarding FBI career, where she made lifelong friends and took pride in filing mission-critical fingerprint records. She left the FBI for Bell Telephone, where she pioneered as a working mother until 1972, when she dedicated herself to raising her children. In 1986, she moved to Charlottesville, where she helped operate the Mineshaft, a storied music venue. She later joined Kroger as a committed union member and beloved colleague until her retirement in 2000.

In retirement, Mary Louise reveled in her grandson and in joyous reunions back home to Alabama, where her heart always remained. She loved church life at Meadows Presbyterian and the leadership of family friend Pastor Tom Goodrich. She also enjoyed bingo and bunko at the senior center; election volunteer work; music; gardening; and dressing with flair. Mary Louise relished travel, whether by train, plane, or car, especially to see family in Alabama and Philadelphia. Travels included an epic drive to California, trips to New York and Washington, and a 69th birthday voyage to London. Fun loving and quick to laugh, Mary Louise always had a smile and an amusing comment for everyone, especially in her final years at Our Lady of Peace.

Friends are invited to a Memorial Celebration, Monday, December 9, 2013, at noon at Elkmont First United Methodist Church, 25444 Children's Street, Elkmont, AL 35620, led by Pastor Timothy McDowell. Following the service is a private family interment at Decatur City cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Meadows Presbyterian Church, c/o Pastor Tom Goodrich, 2200 Angus Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

This obituary was originally published in the Decatur Daily.