Mary Frances James Tull, Bethel Springs, Tennessee (November 4, 1927-June 30, 2015)
Mary Frances James Tull was born November 4,1927 in Caruthersville, Missouri, the daughter of the late Jessie Tillman and Mary Ada Woods James. She was raised in Weona, Arkansas, graduating from Marked Tree High School in 1946.
She attended Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, Memphis, Tennessee, graduating January 30,1950. She was united in marriage to Warren Matthew “Sleepy” Tull February 3, 1950 in Weona, Arkansas. They moved to McNairy County, Tennessee in 1952 and she has resided on the same farm the rest of her life. Sleepy preceded her in death January 6,1991.
Her first nursing job was with the Verser Clinic in Harrisburg, Arkansas. After moving to McNairy County, she worked for Smith Clinic until the hospital opened. She worked for McNairy County General Hospital in several roles included Emergency supervisor, OB and OR supervisor and as Director of Nursing. She loved nursing and had dreamed of being a nurse since she was a small child.
She was a member of the Buena Vista Methodist Church, Bethel Springs, Tennessee. Previous church affiliations were Weona Methodist Church, Weona, Arkansas and Rose Creek Methodist Church, Selmer.
She was a fifty year plus member of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed reading, holiday cooking, church fellowships, Selmer Extension (Family Community Education) Club and traveling to visit her family. Her secret desire was to be a race car driver and anyone who rode with her was aware she loved driving fast. She was a past member of the Tennessee Nursing Association, American Red Cross and various other nursing organizations in the state of Tennessee.
Mary Frances departed her earthly home June 30, 2015 at the home of her daughter, Rose Marie Moore, surrounded by her family, who were her greatest pride and joy. Surviving are daughters, Margaret Ann Tull of Selmer, TN; Suzanne “Susie” Tull Lambert (Randy) of Lawton, TN; Rose Marie Moore and husband Roger of Bethel Springs, TN; grandchildren: Angel Coleman Roberts and husband Tom of Huntingdon, TN; Miranda Lambert and fiance Bari Matlock of Lawton; Jessica Lambert Ervin and husband T.J. of Selmer; Johnathon Meredith of Selmer; Mary-Margaret Katalin Meredith of Murfreesboro; Carson, Bryce and Wesley Moore all of Bethel Springs; and Amber Moore Monroe and husband Grant of Memphis; great grandchildren, Samuel, Brayden and Hadleigh Brown; Lily and Liam Matlock and Tuesday Ervin.
Also surviving are her beloved sisters, Laura Mae James Privett of Colma, MI and Virginia James Odom Boyd of Richlands, NC; many nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a foster son, Frank Coleman, Jr. and a brother, Edward James.
Pallbearers: Johnathon Meredith, Carson, Bryce and Wesley Moore, Grant Monroe, T.J. Ervin, Bari Matlock, and Tom Roberts. Honorary pallbearers: Samuel and Brayden Brown
Services were held on July 2, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, Tennessee, with Zolon Clayton officiating. Burial followed in the Moore’s Schoolhouse Cemetery at Selmer, Tennessee.
