Mary Alice Self Bingham was born April 1, 1927 in Vanndale, Arkansas. She died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015 in her home surrounded by her daughter and granddaughters.
Mary attended nursing school in Memphis, Tennessee. where she met and married Dr. Thomas C. Bingham. The couple moved to Decatur and together forged Tom’s optometric practice.
Mary was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, ECW, Altar Guild, and with the late Kathryn McLaughlin, founded and directed the Junior Altar Guild. Active in the community, Mary belonged to UDC, DAR, Decatur Cotillion, Saturday Night Supper Club, Decatur Culture Club and PTA. She was past president of Decatur Junior Service League, a Girl Scout Troop leader, and on the board of NLJC. She enjoyed playing bridge, needlework, reading and traveling. A devoted homemaker, she loved entertaining in her home – her door was always open.
Her husband of 65 years, Tom Bingham; her parents, Allison and Minnie Self; and her sisters, Frankie Innerbichler, Anne Thames and Connie Beard preceded Mary in death. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Bingham Ritch (Charles) of Decatur; granddaughters, Mary-Sidney Ritch of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Laura Abigail Ritch of New York, New York; and her brother, Norman Self (Leota) of Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Chris Teichmiller, Casy Kovach, Charles Ritch, Jr., and nephews, Dirk Self, Hardie Carlson, Bingham Edwards and John Barefield.
We wish to thank her caregivers, Carolyn Bennefield, Maggie Smith, Cathy Lanier, Heather Mosley and Hospice of the Valley.
If you wish to honor Mary’s memory, may we suggest a charitable donation to the Community Free Clinic of Decatur & Morgan County, or St. John’s Episcopal Church Outreach program.
Ever the Southern Lady, I never heard Mama speak an ill word about anyone. We will miss her elegant, gentle, generous spirit.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3rd in the St. John’s parlor. Funeral service will be in the sanctuary at 2 p.m., Father Evan Garner officiating, with Bingham Edwards and Rev. Sam Hardie reading.
Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
