Mary Vivian Wilson Trotter Eck, 102, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2019 in Decatur, Alabama.
Mary was born in Prattville, Alabama on February 25, 1917. She is preceded in death by her parents Henry Elmore Wilson and Sarah Elizabeth Crenshaw Wilson; and her five sisters.
Mary was married to James Byrtran Trotter on July 15, 1934, in her Parttville home. Mary and Byrt lived in Ramer, Alabama for 10 years, the Trotter’s family community, with their daughter, Patricia Trotter. They then moved to Brantley, Alabama. Byrt passed away in 1959 and Mary decided it was time to further her education. Mary enrolled at Troy State University and while being a student, she was also a house mother for 17 freshman girls! She graduated from Troy State University with an Associate Degree in Education with honors; and from Syracuse University in New York with a Masters in College Student Personnel in 1964. Because of Mary’s exceptional qualities as a house mother at Troy, Syracuse University also hired Mary as a house mother in a private home for freshman girls for 2 years. She also traveled the world and continued to travel with her Syracuse professors for 12 years. Her passport has stamps from London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Yugoslavia, Russia, Turkestan, and Budapest, Hungary. Once she graduated, she served as a Student Services Residence Counselor at Florida State University for 10 years. She then transferred to the University of North Alabama in Florence to be near her daughter, Pat and son-in-law Bill Sexton and 2 grandchildren, Tricia and Britt, of Decatur. Again, Marry served as the girl’s house mother at UNA’s Rivers-Rice Hall while she lived in Florence. Mary was much beloved by all who knew her. She was affectionately given the nickname “Proper Trotter” by her students because she was always stressing proper etiquette, good manners and being kind to one another. Mary retired to Sunnyside Beach, Panama City, Florida, to live in the beach house she and Byrt built. She was actively involved in the Gulfview United Methodist Church, where she chaired the refurbishing committee in the 80’s. Ever the consummate hostess, she enjoyed entertaining in her lovely home on the Gulf of Mexico. An accomplished gardener, people would often stop to take pictures of her creative and artistic flowerbeds. At age 60, she married Melvin Carl Eck of Bradenton, Florida, and the loved traveling and watching golf together. Mary and Mel moved to Decatur, Alabama in 1990, to be near family, and became members of Central United Methodist Church. She was an avid bridge player at the Morgan County Senior Center and famous for baking pecan pie muffins and sour cream pound cake for neighbors, family, and friends. Mary loved attending Community Bible Study with her granddaughter, Tricia and they both treasured that time together. Mel passed away on October 25, 1995. Mary moved to Riverside Senior Living at the age of 98 and the family appreciates all of the love and care they provided. Mary is predeceased by her son-in-law William E. Sexton (Bill). Mary is survived by her loving daughter, Patricia Trotter Sexton; two grandchildren, Patricia S. Heyward (Barney), and William Britt Sexton (Susan); and four great grandchildren: Mary Kristin Moss, Roger “Beau” H. Moss III, William Grayson Sexton, and Alysa Trotter Sexton. There will be a private family burial at Roselawn Cemetery in Decatur. Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers the suggests memorials to your favorite charity.
