Obituaries » MARY FRANCIS GARNER
PrintMARY FRANCIS GARNER
October 1, 1954 - April 6, 2022
Burial Date: April 16, 2022
Visitation will be held Friday, April 15, 2022 at Jackson - Highley Funeral Home, West Helena Arkansas from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at P.L.M. & D. District Center, Helena Arkansas. Interment will follow immediately at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery, Wabash Arkansas. We will follow CDC guidelines: mask, hand sanitizer, and the social distance standard of 6ft apart.
Mary “Ponk” Francis Wade was born October 1, 1954 to the late Joseph Harrison and Zelma Madella Wade in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She later moved to Lakeview, Arkansas where she made it her home.
“Ponk,” as she was affectionately known by many, accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age at Mt. Lula Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Lewis Mapp. She later united with Pilgrim Guide Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend James Baker where she faithfully served as a choir member, church secretary, treasurer until her health declined.
Mary Francis graduated from Lakeview High School, Lakeview Arkansas in the class of 1972. She married Larry Jones on May 26, 1974 and spent the next ten years as a military wife. In 1996 she married Charles Garner. They remained a union till death did them part.
Mary Francis attended Phillips County Community College, Helena Arkansas where she obtained a CDA License. She devoted her working days to caring for children. She retired from Phillips County Development Center in 2017.
Mary Francis favorite pastimes included: sewing, watching all sports, completing crossword and word search puzzles, listening to Gospel music especially Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. She loved children and was known for helping to “Straighten” them out.
Mary Francis is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; Charles, Sammy, McArthur Wade, two sisters; Betty Ann Wade, Annie Ruth Wilson and one granddaughter; Brea.
Mary Francis leaves to cherish her precious memories her husband; Charles Garner, two sons; Larry Jones, Jr. of Wausau WI, Kevin Jones of Little Rock AR, four daughters; Demeter (Troy) Lewis of West Helena AR, Rhonda (Hillery) Gray of Little Rock AR, Larita (Gary) Moore of Arlington TX, Kionna Garner of Forrest City AR, one step son, four step daughters, four brothers; Musa (Betty) Akil Saeed of West Helena AR, Robert (Mickey) Wade, Wilmer (Jean) Wade both of San Antonio TX, Eugene (Patricia) Wade of Fort Worth TX, six sisters; Lenora Rogers of Mobile AL, Magaline Tharp of Ripley TN, Christine Blakely, Glenda Wade, Joyce Truitt, Margaret Miller all of Lakeview AR, one brother-in-law; George Wilson of Jamestown NY, two sisters-in-law; Maxine Wade, Sue Ellen Wade both of Lakeview AR, seventeen grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
