Mary Ann Parsons

Mary Ann Parsons was a feisty and loving mother, who always gave selflessly to enrich the lives of those around her. She dedicated her life to her family, and found great happiness in simple pleasures. A cherished mother and grandmother, Mary Ann lived her life with a kind heart and a giving spirit.

Mary Ann was born just prior to the end of World War I, on October 5, 1918, in LaPorte, Indiana. Her parents, Andrew and Bertha (Babcock) Nisonger, raised Mary Ann and her eight siblings and half siblings in the rural town of Three Rivers, Michigan. Being the youngest, Mary Ann liked to be her mother’s little helper, especially when it came to doing the laundry. In her leisure time, she often went to visit their neighbor, who had a parrot that liked to call out, “Where’s Mary?”

Like many young girls of the time, Mary Ann attended school through the 8th grade. Shortly after leaving school, she married Elmer M. Beers in 1933, and they had a beautiful daughter named Luella. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce some time later. Mary Ann then met a gentleman named Lloyd B. Parsons and they were married in 1937. When Lloyd and Mary Ann were wed, it symbolized not only a merging of two lives, but also of two families. Mary Ann had her daughter Luella, and Lloyd had three children from a previous marriage: Joyce, Robert and Barbara. As the years went on, the family grew even more to include Sandra, Lloyd Jr., Jerry, Shirley, Jack, Gerald, Lloyd P. and Donald. The Parsons were a big family that shared lots of love. Sadly, Mary Ann lost her beloved husband Lloyd in 1969, after 32 years of marriage.

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Mary Ann worked at a variety of places over the years, including Shakespeare’s Rod and Reel in Kalamazoo, Salvage Role in Kalamazoo, Cadillac Overhaul and Peterson Springs. As the years passed, Mary Ann was blessed with many wonderful grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, all of whom she adored (and kept her busy). She was a wonderful cook and loved making big Sunday dinners for all the family to enjoy. One of her specialties was rabbit. In her more leisure time, Mary Ann loved listening to country music and two stepping around the house.

Mary Ann had been living at the Riverview Manor Nursing Home in Three Rivers for the last 4 years, and it was here that she passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at the age of 91. All who knew and loved Mary Ann will treasure her memory.

Mary Ann is survived by her children: Luella (Ben F.) Taylor, Sandra (Eddie) Blodgett, Lloyd B. Jr. (Diane) Parsons, Jerry (Jill) Parsons, Shirley (Rick) Burchette, Jack Parsons, Gerald (Rose) Parsons; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd B. Parsons, and children, Lloyd P Parsons and Donald Parsons, and stepchildren: Joyce Ocker, Robert Parsons and Barbara Parsons.

Learn more about Mary Ann, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Saturday, January 2, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg (649-1697). Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 12 noon at the same location. Please visit Mary Ann’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a favorite memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.