Mary Frances Flippen was born on Dec. 12, 1942, in Decatur and entered Heaven Jan. 4. She was welcomed by her grandparents, Marguerite Simmons and William Hampton Shaw, and Annie Gurley and Joseph Wheeler Flippen, Sr. Also there to welcome her with open arms were her parents, Marguerite Shaw and Joseph Wheeler Flippen Jr., and her brothers and sisters, William Hampton Flippen (Edith), Margaret Ann Flippen Wright (Bill), Betty Jane Flippen Bryson (Ted), Murphree Shaw Flippen (Andi), Samuel Armstead Flippen (Eleanor) and very special longtime friends, Billy Colson and Mary Willis.

Mary is survived by her sisters and brother, Daisy Flippen Kinard (Jack), Joseph Wheeler Flippen, III, and Martha “Lulu” Flippen Laster (Joe). The joys of her life included nineteen nieces and nephews and lots of precious great nieces and nephews and cousins.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Russellville and a member of First United Methodist Church. Mary was a 1962 graduate of Russellville High School where she made many lifelong friends. Stories of ballgames, drive-in movies, class reunions and shopping downtown are some of those memories she shared with her classmates and family.

Mary attended Alverson Draughon Business School in Florence. She worked in secretarial positions, grocery sales and ended her career working for many years at a register or the service desk in Walmart in Russellville. Many customers and coworkers joined her family in calling her Aunt Mary and enjoyed being one of her three thousand Facebook friends.

Aunt Mary’s nieces and nephews fondly recall her as their favorite fun aunt. They remember cruising downtown in Russellville, trips to shop at one of their favorite ten cent stores and sharing peanuts in a Coke or ice cream at the King Frosty. There were quite a few memorable outings and grand adventures. Recently, Mary enjoyed spoiling her great nieces and nephews with dolls and toys they played with together. She especially enjoyed attending performances, concerts, ball games and family holiday gatherings. A good seek-a-word or a challenging jigsaw puzzle kept her busy, too.

Mary recently faced serious medical challenges, battling colon cancer and then metastatic breast cancer. She was so thankful for five years of expert, loving care at Clearview Cancer Center by Dr. John Waples and his wonderful team. Most recently, she spent more than eight months in Caris Hospice care at NHC in Columbia, Tenn. Mary and her family found this a home away from home. Every member of that staff provided exemplary care each and every day.

One of her last requests just prior to her journey home was for us to “call everybody and tell them I love them.” She did indeed love her family and friends with all her heart!

Memorials may be considered for the Russell Hill Cancer Foundation in Huntsville, Ala., or a charity of your choice. Mary’s family and close friends will be invited to a celebration of her life in early February prior to a private burial in Oakwood Cemetery in Tuscumbia.