Mary Elizabeth Crockett, age 93 died peacefully and went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2017. Mary was born January 30, 1924 in Colbert County Alabama, the daughter of the late Harvey Mahlon Palmer and Irene Palmer. Mary was a devout Christian and lifelong Presbyterian.
As a youth Mary was known as an excellent tennis player. She and her sister Jessie made quite a formidable doubles team often playing on a tennis court they had made themselves on their family farm.
During World War II Mary met the love of her life a Navy fighter pilot, the late Mr. Edward F. Crockett, Jr. whom she married after the War. Mary and Edward had a long and happy marriage until his death in 1992.
Mary was a lifelong resident of the Shoals area and was a notable pioneer of women executives in the local banking industry having served for many years as an officer of the Valley Federal Savings and Loan. She was also one of the first women to serve on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to a successful business career Mary was a devoted mother who raised two children Edward and Linda. Her children consider themselves much blessed to have had such a loving and devoted Mother.
Mary is survived by her daughter Mrs. Linda Murdock (John); son Dr. Edward F. Crockett, III (Dale); brothers Michael Palmer and Jerald Palmer; her ever faithful sister Martha Smith; and sister-in-law, Rubye Palmer. Mary is also survived by six grandchildren, Margaret Myers (Tyson), Matthew Crockett (Ashely), Michael Crockett (Lauren), Martin Crockett, John Murdock (Heather), and Carolyn Murdock; and three great grandchildren, Beatrice Crockett and Gray and Reid Meyers. Mary truly loved each of these grands and nothing would brighten her eyes more than when they paid her a visit.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Billy Palmer, Mahlon Palmer, James Palmer and her sisters Jessie Herston and Shirley Wylie.
Mary appreciated the visits by Pastor Jerry Rea who served as Mary’s pastor while she was in the nursing home.
Visitation will be Friday August 11 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia, Alabama with her funeral service following in the chapel. Pastor Jerry Rea will officiate. Burial will be in Old Brick Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Colbert County Alabama.
