Mary Lee Blocker

Mary Lee Bearden Blocker, 85, of Jonesboro passed from this life on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. She was born on January 3, 1938 to Mary Nelson and J. Lee Bearden of Leachville. She attended Leachville schools and graduated as valedictorian in May 1955.

Mary Lee married her high school sweetheart, Darrell Blocker, in 1956. He preceded her in death in 1969. They had three children. Keith Martin married to Joan, Leah Darice married to Bill Ragan, and Bryan Eugene married to Laura. The grandchildren by these three children are Dustin Williams, Lacey Williams, Jared Blocker and Rachel Blocker, and  great grandchildren, Devin Williams, Major Williams, Rylynn Blocker, and Jaxon Blocker.

She had two step grandchildren, Paige Noles (Matt) and Lindsey Stacy (Jake). Their children, making them great grandchildren to Mary Lee, are Cooper Noles, Henry Stacy and Jillian Stacy. She also had one brother, Lynn Bearden (Brad Jenkins). Above all else, Mary Lee, loved God and her family.

Mary Lee was a member of the Methodist Church while she was growing up. Then she joined the Baptist Church in her early twenties because Darrell was a Baptist. She taught children’s Sunday School and AWANA at these Churches.

At age 31 she returned to Arkansas State University to finish her degree. This was following Darrell’s death. She commuted daily from Leachville until her degree was complete. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA).

She moved to Jonesboro in 1972, then formed her own interior design business in Jonesboro which she operated under the name, The Amber Door and later another named, Interior Design Plus. She retired in 2004 after 29 years of working in this field.

After retirement, she moved from Jonesboro to Vilonia so she could be near her youngest grandchildren while they were growing up. She lived there for twelve years, then returned to Jonesboro in 2016.

Her favorite past time was travel. She visited 48 states and over 25 foreign countries. She made friends from all over the world on these trips. Many with whom she stayed in touch until her death. Photography was also a lifelong hobby.

She loved God and her family was the dearest thing on Earth to her. The beauty of nature was dear to her and travel allowed her to see it in many forms. She always felt blessed to be able to travel and see the wonders of the world.

There will be a short visitation held from 10:30 to 11:00 on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Emerson Funeral Home.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Emerson Funeral Home with Steve Clark Officiating.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider; Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 6, Little Rock, AR 72202: or St. Jude Childrens Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105.