Mary Jean McNamee

Mary Jean McNamee, age 92, of Forrest City, died Thursday, February 4, 2021, at the White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas. Mrs. McNamee was born December 15, 1928, in Itawamba, Mississippi, and was the daughter of William Hale and Clara Bostick Hale. She lived in Forrest City most all of her life, was a past member of the B.P.&W. of Forrest City, and was a member of the First Baptist Church for seventy years. Mrs. McNamee was retired from the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas where she worked from 1965 till 2004. When asked which bank, she would always answer, there is only one bank. She was known for her many talents as she was an avid oil painter, baker of wedding cakes, and made beautiful quilts. She would stay up late baking pound cake favorites and petitfors for friends and families. She loved shopping and always liked a good garage sale. She cruised and traveled from Hawaii to St. Thomas Island, from Washington State to Washington D.C.. She loved flowers and had a thumb for growing plants. She loved her yard and the outside. She was never an idle lady. She was a great person who exemplified her faith, loved family, and had a giving heart. She treasured her many friends and loved people. She loved people and always loved to smile. Mrs. McNamee married Pat McNamee in 1949 in Oneida, Arkansas, and he preceded her in death in 2015. They moved to Forrest City in 1950 and was married for sixty-six years. She is survived by one daughter, Judy Belcher, and husband, Terry, of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, one brother, Leon Hale of Benton, Arkansas. She was grandmother to Gwen Mullen, and daughter, Meg, of Walnut Ridge, Mary Lynn Mullen of Washington D.C., Jason Belcher, and wife, Melissa, and children; Nolan and Stryker, all of Jonesboro, and Dr. Ryan Belcher of Nashville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by one son, William Patrick 'Bill' McNamee in 2013, two sisters; Aubrey and Maxine and two brothers; Fred and Earl. The family would like to thank all the Woodlawn Care Givers for the love and care that they gave and also the St. Francis Assisted Living where she was given so much attention and had so much fun. They treated her like family. Services for Mrs. McNamee will be held at the First Baptist Church in Forrest City, 11:00 A.M., Wednesday. Visitation will be Wednesday, beginning 10:00 A.M., until the time of the service. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, 3:00 P.M., at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, Mississippi. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net for the online registry.

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Mary Jean McNamee

December 15, 1928 - February 4, 2021