Mary Meredith

Mary Etta Meredith, affectionately known as “Putten,” was born July 15, 1945, in Marion, Arkansas, the eldest of three daughters born to Emanuel and Viola Reed. She grew up alongside her sisters, Maple Ruth and Rosie Mae. Mary and her sisters experienced the loss of both parents at young ages, with Emanuel passing in 1953 and Viola in 1960.

On October 7, 1963, Mary met the love of her life, Elijah Meredith. They relocated to Chicago, Illinois, and were united in Holy Matrimony on May 24, 1968. They shared 40 years of marriage until Elijah’s passing on June 8, 2008.

Mary loved her family, learning, reading, collecting vintage films, and listening to gospel and R&B music. She especially enjoyed British period dramas, classic black-and-white dramas, and mysteries.

Mary professed Jesus Christ as her Savior in August 1955, at age ten, at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in Marion, Arkansas.

Throughout her life, Mary remained steadfast in her Christian faith. She was a member of Broadview Missionary Baptist Church, where she worshipped for nearly 20 years and Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church.

Mary attended J. S. Phelix High School in Marion, Arkansas, and credited Professor Robert Phelix, Sr. with making her graduation possible. A lifelong learner, Mary continued her education throughout adulthood. She earned a Secretarial Certificate from Marion Business College and an Associate of Arts degree from Triton Community College. She went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in business administration and Corporate Communication, graduating Cum Laude, and a Master of Arts in Business Administration from Dominican University. Mary continued her postgraduate studies at Cornell University, where she earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Security Benefits Analysis.

Mary enjoyed an accomplished professional career. She worked for the United States Postal Service, retiring as a Benefits Specialist. She later served as Adjunct Faculty at Dominican University and as a Benefits Specialist with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

On September 15, 2026, Mary peacefully transitioned at her home at the age of 81.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elijah Meredith; her sister, Rosie Mae Lawrence; her parents, Emanuel and Viola Reed; her paternal grandparents, John and Mary Etta Reed; and her maternal grandparents, Rufus and Burda Jones.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Maple Ruth Lucas; daughters, Patrice Smith, Andrea Shelley, Pamela Shelley, Lajuantonette Wade (Denard), and Kachardra Meredith Ferguson (Laird); and bonus daughter, Sherry Vaughn.

She also leaves her grandchildren, Jeremy Shelley, Brandy Shelley, Lesley Shelley, Samantha Shelley, Ashley Shelley, Carlton Shelley, Denard Wade II (Corin), Darius Wade (Ashley), Orlando Northington, Demetrius Wade, Brandin Vaughn (Fiona), Erica Vaughn, and Christopher Vaughn; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins to celebrate her life and cherish her memory.

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