Mary Louise Essary

Mary Louise Essary, a resident of Nixa Missouri passed away February 17, 2013, surrounded by family, after a short illness. She was born in Fair Play Missouri, August 7, 1927, the daughter of Ben and Mabel Chism, one of ten children. Mary graduated from walnut Grove High School, in 1946 and rarely missed a reunion, held annually at the school. After high school, she attended business college. Mary was married to Luther L Essary, January 18, 1947. They were married fifty-three years before his death October 15, 2000. There were five children born of the marriage. Mary and her husband, Luke were self-employed for 30 years in the construction industry. She and Luke worked side by side, and in the early years, Mary was involved in the physical work as well as helping to manage the business. Her husband remarked that she was one of the most business minded persons in the industry in Springfield. They grew their business with the help of their sons, completing projects such as libraries, churches, government projects, parks, and university buildings in Springfield and the surrounding area. Mary"�s faith was important to her, she was a member of 1st Baptist Church Nixa Missouri and most recently attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Nixa and The Sac River Cowboy Church in Springfield. The family would like to thank the church for their prayers, cards, visits, support and willingness to care for her during her illness. Mary was also comforted by family and friends who visited her in the hospital or sent a heartfelt card . She looked forward to visits from a few special friends during her illness and appreciated their kindness and love. Mary enjoyed dancing, gardening, music, shopping and going to Branson shows. She remained active until she entered the hospital November 16, 2012. She was driving, attending dances, planting flower bulbs in her garden and doing some light remodeling prior to admission to Mercy Hospital. When asked by hospital staff what she cherished the most and of what she was most proud, she responded she cherished her faith and was most proud of her family. We were blessed to have Mary and will miss her grace, generosity , sense of humor, laughter and smile. The family is comforted to know that she is now at rest. Mary is survived by one sister, Etta Sue Graham of Walnut Grove Missouri and a sister in law, Nora Chism of Pine Bluff Arkansas. She was also very close to her spouse"�s family and is survived by two sister in laws, Pearl Essary of Fair Grove Missouri, Benita Essary of Topeka, Kansas, and two brother in laws, Lennie Essary and his spouse Joyce of Lebanon Missouri and Minnis Essary of Moline Illinois. Her surviving children are Dan Essary and spouse Shirley of Fair Grove Missouri, Marilyn Kemp and spouse, David Houston Texas, Ron Essary and spouse Melinda, of Marshfield Missouri and Cindy Ingenthron and spouse Steve of Nixa Missouri. She was also blessed with 16 grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was her parents, her spouse, Luke , five brothers, Wilber, James, Bob, Bernard and Raymond Chism and three sisters, Juanita Beven, Martha Martin and Betty Levine as well as her daughter, Patricia and David Terry. PLEASE NOTE: FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 10AM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, February 21, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with burial following in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Springfield. Visitation will be from 5:00 "� 8:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home.