Mary M. Wegert

Mary M. Wegert, 68, of Jonesboro, entered into eternal rest on September 4, 2011 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, with her family at her side.

Mary was born on November 3, 1942 in North Judson, Indiana, and was raised on a farm outside of Knox, Indiana. She attended Ball State Teachers College in 1961 before transferring to Arkansas State University, where she received a BSE in 1964, and a Masters Degree in Special Education in 1967. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. After college she taught one year in Indiana, before coming back to Jonesboro to teach at Jonesboro Public School for 31 years until her retirement in 1997. During her tenure with Jonesboro Public School system, she taught Special Education, before becoming the Director of Special Education. During her career she was very active in various State committees. She helped set up policies and guidelines for Special Education program. She was in Who's Who of American Women 1975 - 76. She was a member of the Arkansas Association of Education Administrators, Arkansas Special Education, where she held various chairmanships. She was also a member of the Arkansas Association of Public Continuing and Adult Education, where she served as president in 1971-1972. She was a recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award, College of Special Education and Communicative Disorders from Arkansas State University in 1991. She was a loving supporter of the HopeCircle with NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation. She also participated in different avocation like Needlework, and Outdoor Recreational Activities and Cancer Support Group at First United Methodist Church of Jonesboro. She was a long time members of the First Christian Church of Jonesboro, where she sang in the choir.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Adam Alford and Lucy Fletcher Hardel; and a sister, Esther Mae Hardel Woods.

Survivors include her husband, Dennis Harold Wegert of the home, husband of 46 years, married on December 12th 1964; one sister Ruth Louise Hardel Verbois.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday in the Emerson Memorial Chapel in Jonesboro with Jerry Wilcox officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery with Emerson Funeral in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home.

Those wishing to leave lasting memorials, are asked to consider the First Christian Church of Jonesboro Building Fund. 901 S. Main, Jonesboro, AR 72401, 870.932.2408 or 870.897.2091.

Sign online registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com