Mary Whiteside

Mary Alice Whiteside, age 94, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas passed away Saturday, November 25, 2017. She was born to the late Vincilla Crosby Whiteside-White and Willie Whiteside in Clarendon, Arkansas on August 8, 1923. Mary was the youngest of five siblings, three preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by two step-brothers and a step-sister, Elmo and George (Big Jake) White and Jettie Mae Marshbanks.



Being the youngest member of her siblings, she has made an indelible mark on our family’s history. Although she never married or birthed children, she always said "I have twelve children." All of whom can attest to the fact that she has been a blessing to them. Her surviving sibling, Cleovis Whiteside and her devoted sister-in-law, Arwilda (Kelly) Whiteside are the parents to those twelve.



She moved to Pine Bluff during her formative years and worked as a live-in maid while attending and graduating from Merrill High School, later moving to the home of Cleovis and Arwilda to attend AM&N College (UAPB) earing a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1949. She later earned Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois and Indiana University, and further study at the University of Michigan. She was certified in Education, Counseling, and Administration.



Aunt Mary worked hard for her degrees and said she could not have done it without the support of her family. She credits her sisters, the late Oma L Nunn, Bervie (Sally) Peeble, and a cousin, Henry Pettis for seeing her through the tough times.



Mourning her passing but forever trusting as she did in God, are her beloved brother, Bo (Cleovis) and sister-in-law, Arwilda, of Pine Bluff, AR; a loving first cousin and lifelong friend, Evelyn Whiteside-Betts of Clarendon, AR, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former students. We have all been blessed by her spirit and presence and were also blessed to be given an opportunity to give back a small portion of care to her as she had so readily given to us. She lived at home with her niece/caretaker, Kathy Whiteside-Sims and husband, Daniel and her loving nephew, John Whiteside. We will forever cherish her words of wisdom, her touch, her smile, her gentle nature, and the joy she brought to each of us.



Her work experience included public schools in Clarendon and Wynne, Arkansas, retiring from a wonderful career at the Parsons Kansas School District. She used to say, "I’ve worked so that my living wouldn’t be in vain... and I’ve never been broke."



While active in the Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, she was a member of the Sunday school and Women’s Missionary Society.



She was always quiet, humble and reserved. Even with advanced dementia she remained soft spoken and loving. She loved family and was the historian for the Jacob Whiteside Branch. One of her favorite scriptures is John 15:5. It says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches, He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."



The family thanks the wonderful staff at Kindred Hospice and Jefferson Regional Medical Center, the loving care of Dr. Pollard and Dr. Schrantz, Family Practice Physicians, Drs. Shakira and Middleton and staff on 2NE, especially Tarrah, RN.



Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W Pullen, Pine Bluff, AR.

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