Mary Hearn Shrader

Mary Hearn Shrader, loving wife and mother, left her earthly home and reached her heavenly destination on May 31, 2013. Mary was born on July 6, 1929, to Edward and Rozina Hearn in Monticello, Miss. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Shrader, to whom she was married 51 years; her infant son, Paul Shrader; and her parents, brothers and sister. Mary is survived by two daughters, Melanie (David) Thomas of Prairie Grove, Ark., and Gracie (George) Cusick of Springdale, Ark.; and two furry four legged children, Sparky and Casper. Mary loved children and always wanted to be a teacher. She said when she was 8 years old, a third-grade teacher planted a seed that encouraged her creativity and self-expression. She knew then that she wanted to teach and to help shape and direct young people's lives in the right direction. She obtained that goal and graduated from the University of Arkansas with her teaching certificate in 1969. She taught at several schools in Springdale before her retirement in 1992. While teaching, Mary won a $1,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Education School Recognition Program, as well as a $500 grant for her "Contagious Creativity" classroom project. After her retirement, she tutored children in her home for 10 years. There were many occasions that former students would see her, stop her, and tell her how much they liked being in her class. She truly touched many lives in the classroom. Mary had a love for God, and that's how she and Jack raised their family. She was a member of Wesley Methodist Church for many years, and then became a member of New Hope Fellowship Church in Springdale. She truly had a servant's heart. When new families moved into the neighborhood, she always took them food as a welcoming gift. If a friend was sick, she would go see them, and offer assistance. You could count on her to help however she could. Visitation for Mary will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2013, at Westfield Chapel Funeral Home in Springdale. A Celebration of Life service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at New Hope Fellowship Church in Springdale. Burial will follow at Bluff Cemetery. The family suggests that donations be made to the Willard Walker Hospice Home in her name. Please share your fond thoughts and memories of Mary on her memorial at www.WestfieldChapel.com.