Mary Northcutt

It was a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving on May 3, 1940, Mary Lee Donalson, the sixth child was born to Arthur Sr. and Bennie Tubbs Donalson. Mary graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956. On June 24, 1961, Mary married her best friend, Cephas Northcutt. To this union, three children were born, June Renee, Cynthia Rochelle, and Cephas Jr.

After completing Preston Road School of Preaching, Mary’s husband advised her that he wanted to pursue his preaching career in the great state of Mississippi. Mary couldn't imagine ever going to a state where she had absolutely no family. It was extremely difficult for her to leave her siblings and entire family. This woman of God worked along side her husband as a beloved wife, adored mother, cherished sister, loving grandmother, tenderhearted great grandmother, and compassionate friend. She loved cooking for her family and baking cakes and pies from scratch. She loved entertaining family. During holidays and special occasions, you could always find family at Aunt Mary’s house. Her nieces and nephews would just stop by occasionally to see what she had to eat. All was more than welcome at her home!

A devoted Christian, Mary enjoyed getting up on Sunday mornings preparing to tune in with her church family whom she loved so dearly, Lawrence and Marder Church of Christ. She would study her lessons during the week and then again on Saturday evenings.

For many years, Mary worked for JCPenney store chain until she decided that she wanted to start a business in Child Care. She then opened Northcutt’s Home Care, which made her heart smile by keeping the children each day, and treating them like family. Mary conducted this successful business from 1983-2004, when she retired. Her husband told her, “Congratulations Mama! May your retirement be the best job you have ever had.” It is without a doubt that Mary Lee Northcutt has left an indelible mark and was loved so deeply.

Mary departed this earthly life on September 11, 2021. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Cephas Alvin Northcutt, Sr.; father, Arthur Donalson; mother, Bennie Donalson; her brothers, T.C. Donalson, Pete Donalson, Joe Donalson, James Donalson, and Arthur Donalson Jr.; two sisters, Dora Wynn and Bennie Birch.

Mary leaves to cherish precious memories: her children, Renee Derrick, Cynthia Northcutt, and Cephas Northcutt, Jr. (Seimitra); one sister, Loyce Owens (James); three sisters-in-law, Ernest Donalson, Ola Donalson, and Pearl Epps; five grandchildren, Remel Derrick (Angela), Tenisha Derrick, Zachariah Ervin, Darrow Northcutt, and Vale Northcutt; four great grandchildren, Marcus Bracks, Makiiah Bracks, Myla Bracks, and Caylie Olvera. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, a loving and special cousin, Lucy Wooley, other cousins, and long standing friends who dearly loved her and will miss her immensely.

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