Mary Morton-Wilkinson

Mary Morton-Wilkinson, 83, of Jackson, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on her 83rd birthday Saturday, January 16, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.She was born January 16, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, to Oscar and Myrtle McClaird Ward. She and Leon Morton were married November 20, 1949. They had been married 58 years when Leon passed away May 4, 2008. She and Freddie Wilkinson were married October 20, 2010. They had been married nearly two years when Freddie passed away September 15, 2012.

As a child, Mary enjoyed spending time with family and friends in the former Leemon Store, which her parents owned and operated. She attended Jackson High School and worked at the former Jackson Hosiery Mill and the former Lichtenegger Grocery Store. She then owned and operated the former Fashion 2-20 in Jackson. Mary was well known for her love of and gift for interior decorating. She and Leon used her gifted talent in building and the resale of several homes in the Jackson area.

Mary was a longtime member of the Order of Eastern Star #91 in Jackson, and Wesley United Meithodist Church in Fruitland. She enjoyed playing the piano at church and for other special occasions. Mary was gifted in this area as well; she could play by music or ear making those piano keys sing.

After Mary and Freddie were married, they enjoyed spending time together at the farm west of Jackson.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Pat (Steve) Golden and Kathy Nicholas of Jackson; three grandchildren, Shawn and Chad Golden and Casey Nicholas of Jackson; five great-grandchildren, Mara and Nick Golden, Brody and Riley Nicholas, Dante Lopez; two brothers-in-law, Jerry (Linda) Morton and Glen (Evelyn) Morton of Jackson; and three sisters-in-law, Betty Hink of Florrisant, Missouri, Doris (Roger) King of Jackson, and Evelyn Bowers of Herrin, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Leon Morton; and her second husband, Freddie Wilkinson.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 19, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brian Anderson officiating.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Fruitland.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Wesley United Methodist Church.

To view Mary’s personal on-line DVD, click here: http://videos.lifetributes.com/665576

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