Mary Elizabeth Shaver

Mary Elizabeth Woodyard Shaver, 86, of Jonesboro gained her beautiful wings on January 26, 2021. She was born October 20, 1934 in Cave City to the late Thomas Andrew Woodyard Sr. and Lockie E. Ford Woodyard.

Mary graduated from Cave City High School and attended college in Conway at what is now University of Central Arkansas, but when she attended it was called Arkansas State Teachers College. She spent most of her life working in County Extension in Wynne and Jonesboro.

Mary retired with Emeritus Status from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension in 1995 as a Home Economics Leader. She spent countless hours working with kids and families in this leadership role and many years with 4-H in Cross County (Wynne).

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Dalton Shaver; daughter, Dyeann Elizabeth Poe; sisters, Jo Carolyn Kent, Fannie Kelly, Geneva Ford; brother, Tommy Woodyard and step-brother, Jack Mullen.

She is survived by her son, Marvin Thomas (Tommy) Shaver of Wynne; daughter, Mary Jo Shaver Lewis and her husband Mike Lewis of Conway; grandchildren, Christopher Mark Poe, Matthew Dalton Poe, Laura Elizabeth Poe (children of Dyeann and Mark Poe), Brennan Thomas Shaver (Son of Tommy Shaver), Dalton Lee Lewis, Elizabeth Nicole Lewis, Austin Lee Lewis and Abigail Elizabeth Lewis (children of Mary Jo and Mike Lewis).

Mary was a giving person and extremely active until her illness with Pulmonary Fibrosis slowed her down. She volunteered countless hours at St. Benards Medical Center, St. Bernards Village and the Food Pantry. Mary was actively involved at First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro.

She was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis near the latter part of 2019. Mary was much debilitated from this disease and required oxygen continuously. Unfortunately this kept her from getting out much and enjoying the active life she had before. She was able to stay home per her wishes due to the efforts of countless beautiful friends and caregivers from Home Instead.

We do not even know how to express the thanks that needs to be given to so many of her friends some listed below others not left out or forgotten on purpose.

The Casteel family who are her loving neighbors. They were there day and night making sure mother had what she needed from breakfast until bedtime. The entire family made sure all of her needs were met morning and night.

Verneal Montgomery a close friend from her church helped mother get to her doctor’s appointments and checked on her regularly.

Cleo Mann also from her church checked on her weekly and made sure she had all she needed and meals for the weekends.

Lou Riley and JoAnn Norman from church made sure she had a fine breakfast every day and ran any errand mother needed.

Goldie Granberry worked with mother as a volunteer at St. Bernards as a Pink Lady would deliver her meals on a wheels daily. Mother cherished her arrival.

Donna Seagle (friend of Tommy Shaver) helped Tommy with many weekend visits to care for our lovely mother. Her kindness is greatly appreciated.

Home instead made her dream come true staying in her own home through this illness. She had many caregivers from Home Instead and she became very dependent on them. Kim Hollingsworth and Emily Latting was her most recent care provider.

Mother loved all of her friends dearly and deeply, she cherished their visits, she depended on their services and she was so grateful to all. She was so grateful to all that cared for her.

Funeral service will be Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:00 am in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. John Miles officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm in Emerson Memorial Chapel.

For lasting memorials the family asks that consideration be given to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611.