Mary Jane Carr

Mary Jane Carr passed to her Heavenly Father on November 22, 2024 at Potomac Place Assisted Living in Woodbridge VA. Burial will be at Macon Illinois Cemetery at a later date. Mary Jane (Thompson) was born on December 17, 1929 in Moweaqua IL, the daughter of Ralph and Hazel (Bridgman) Thompson. She graduated from Moweaqua High School in the class of 1948. Shortly after HS she took a job at Staley’s Corporation in Decatur with the office secretarial pool and in later years as the secretary at Stephen Decatur High School. She married Bill Carr on September 10, 1949 in Paducah KY, with son David coming along September 1958. To say she was a “people person” would be an understatement. She never met a stranger, at least not for long once engaging a wrong number caller for nearly 30 minutes. Family was always foremost in her life. She had a caring spirit and a giving heart. From her devotion to her husband of 75 years or taking care of parents, in-laws, or numerous family members for many years with a smile and grace. She cherished her son, his wife and her two granddaughters being blessed to see them grow to be adults. She was so happy and proud to be “GGma” to her great granddaughter. She kept up with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews uplifting all with phone calls, cards including her famous poems and letters until the end. Some of her and Bill’s happiest times came when they returned to Moweaqua in retirement sharing a duplex with Bob and Barb Collins and rekindling life long friendships including Gerald and Norma Ringo with which they were nearly inseparable. For several years they enjoyed an active social life with the 45ers (members and family of the MHS class of 1945). She was a faithful member of First Christian Church in Moweaqua until moving to Virginia to be near their son. She will forever live in our hearts. Mary Jane is survived by her husband of 75 years William “Bill” Carr, Woodbridge VA formerly of Moweaqua; brother Donald Thompson of Bloomington; son David (Barb) Carr of Woodbridge VA; granddaughters Emily (Eric) Pfautz of Severna Park MD; and Claire (James) Schnurr of Ft Worth TX; and great-granddaughter Ella Pfautz of Severna Park MD. Nieces Pam Stegeman and Crys (Bill) Dithen of Bloomington, Donita Harrison of Dixon; Vicky Boyd and Julie Brady of Byron; nephews Gary (Cindy) Thompson of Wister OK; Jerry (Jill) Bowers of Oregon; and Scott (Wendy) Bowers of Milledgeville; plus numerous great nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Opal (Merle) Bowers of Dixon; Joann Miller of Bloomington; infant brother Duane Thompson; nephews Rick (Deborah) Bowers and Kevin (Debra) Bowers of Dixon. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Moweaqua or Peace Meals.

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Mary Jane Carr

December 17, 1929 - November 22, 2024