Mary Josephine Hawkins McNabb, 92, died April 18, at home in Huntsville, Alabama, surrounded by her family and friends. Her funeral will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Monday, April 23, at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation at the church from 10:00 to 11:00. Pastor Gary Soop will be the officiant. Her interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery following the service.
Mary Jo McNabb was born in Bessemer, Alabama, on March 25, 1926. After living in several locations because of her father’s career, the family settled in Huntsville and she graduated from Huntsville High School in 1944. Soon after, she married and moved to Spring City and then Dayton, Tennessee, where she lived for several years. Later she returned to Huntsville with her daughter and worked at Martin Stamping and Stove as a cost accountant. In 1951, Mrs. McNabb, her sister, Lois, and mother were instrumental in helping to begin St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Huntsville. In 1955, she married Walter David McNabb in the original church location on Longwood Drive.
Mary Jo McNabb was a loving spouse, mother, and friend who worked tirelessly for her family. For several years, she was the church secretary for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Huntsville. She loved reading, cooking, gardening, and needlework as well as studying recipes in cookbooks, often making notes by them. She read The Huntsville Times cover to cover until one week before she died. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alta Mae and Joseph Hawkins; her sisters, Lois Hawkins Biggs and Ann Hawkins Davis; and, her husband of 57 Years, Walter David McNabb. She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth McNabb Weinbaum and her husband, Joel, of Decatur, AL; Dianne Leigh McNabb and her husband, William Roland Lantz, of Atlanta; and, Robin Marie McNabb, her caregiver for many years, of Huntsville. Her nephew, Richard Jones Davis, Jr. and his wife Debbie of Birmingham, was like a son to her. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Edward Howard Lacy, III (Ward) and his wife Fran of Birmingham; Sarah Elizabeth Lantz of Atlanta; and, Anna-Marie Grace McNabb of Huntsville. She is also survived by two great-granddaughters, Caroline Frances Lacy and Mary Florence Lacy of Birmingham.
Pallbearers will be Edward H. Lacy, III, William R. Lantz, and Joel Weinbaum.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Temple B’nai Sholom, or a charity of your choice.
