Mary Alice Magee, age 86, of Sherwood, Arkansas passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. She was born in Amity, Arkansas on September 30, 1936 to the late Willie Faye Oden and Nadine Ballard Oden.
Mary worked as a secretary in construction and engineering for many years. She worked up to becoming the President of the National Association of Women in Construction for the chapter, state, and national. She helped build the first Ronald McDonald House and was a general contractor in Little Rock for many years. Mary was a marvelous cook and enjoyed cooking for her friends and family.
In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her sister Bobbie L. Oden; brother James E. “Buddy” Oden; daughter Mary Lynn Magee; son Thomas “Sonny” Melton Magee JR; and grandson Travis Michael Eads.
She leaves behind her daughters Kaye Miller and Cindy Wilcox; grandchildren Trent Eads, Christopher Magee, Rachel McGee, Morgan Johnson, and Kyle Miller; great-grandchildren Sonny and Colten; sister Syble Jackson; and many more friends and extended family.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 2:00pm in the chapel at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
8 Comments
I think that God will never send
A gift so precious as a friend…..
She Loved You so Much Jean
I knew Mary only a brief time, but found her highly intelligent and entertaining with anecdotes about her personal and work lives. Only slightly older than me, both of us came of age during the early years of civil rights, which encompassed gender as well as race. We were women moving into a man’s world and doing better than good jobs. Kindred spirits. My sympathy to her family for she is a true loss, but her legacy is one to be proud of and honor.
I met Mary Magee while attending an invitational meeting to join National Association of Women in Construction. I joined the organization and the more I got to know Mary, the more I liked and appreciated her friendship. Truly a fantastic, good lady!
I first met Mary, January 1979 at Riddick Engineering Corporation on the 16th floor of the First National Bank Building. She interviewed & recommended hiring me as a secretary there, and was the most kind and knowledgeable lady to work with during the 70’s and 80’s. She was generous in helping me learn/understand the engineering & architectural workplace. I remember her dedication to the field of engineering, as I watched her passion extend through the NAWIC organization. She was classy & dressed so professionally every day. I worked at Riddick 1979-1987 and remember her “passing the torch” of Executive Secretary to me when she left. I have nothing but fond memories working with her. To Mary’s entire family, my sincere condolences.
So sorry unable to come to service but one of things I deal with at my age. L loved Mary and rest of family. We lived several miles from each other but our families always did alot of visiting. I pray God will hold you close because it5hard losing a mom. Love ya’ll. Your cousin Alice Oden Frisby
Sorry this is late in coming, but I just found the obit. What a lady Mary was & NAWIC benefited under her gu>dance. Always felt bad that there was so much distance between us & I would only see her at National events. Loved her caring personality. In later years I kept informed through Jean at how she was doing. Jean certainly loved her. So relieved that Mary is now at peace. My sympathy to you all & pray that all the memories thar we all have, are a great comfort to you all. 🙏
I love you. I can’t believe I’m just seeing this. I miss my family so much since being away from the Little Rock area. ❣️
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