Mary C. Stephens, 83, Carthage, Missouri, passed away Monday evening, February 21, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. Mary was born September 3, 1938, in Newport, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Daniel A. Money and Lillie Mae (Richie) Money. She was a 1956 graduate of Pleasant Plains High School, Pleasant Plains, Arkansas. She married Robert W. Gooch in 1997; he preceded her in death on November 5, 2018. Mary was a jack of all trades, but her main jobs were in factories, real estate, bartending, and laundry at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage, where she especially loved working. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Carthage. Mary loved quilting, gardening, her chickens, tending to her numerous flowers, but most of all, loved her family.
Survivors include two sons, Danny Money, Carthage, and Michael Comer (Mary), Little Rock, Arkansas; a daughter, Lola Ringen, Carthage; a sister, Betty Passmore; two granddaughters, Stacy Willingham (Kevin), Denton, Texas, and Rachel Rector, Carthage; great-grandchildren, Shellie Neal (River) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cole Willingham, Stella Willingham and Asher Willingham, Denton, Texas; Sean MacMorran (Chantel) of Joplin, Lily “Oli” MacMorran and Ethan Carrall of Carthage; a great-great-grandchild, Holden James MacMorran; numerous nieces, nephews, and many extended family and friends.
She was also preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.
Memorial visitation will be held 1-3 pm, Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.
