Mary Vowell
Mary Pursley Kelly Vowell departed this world on Nov. 1, 2026, survived by her children, Carla Cheatham Vowell (surviving spouse of David Morris Vowell) of Martin, Donald Kelly Vowell (Mary Alice) of Knoxville, Mary Carolyn Vowell Williams (Barry) of Nashville and Richard Andrew Vowell (Kathy) of Martin; her grandchildren, Megan Williams (Adam), Lauren Williams, José Vowell, Antonio Vowell, Patrick Vowell (Wakana), Casey Vowell, Sarah Vowell, Rachel Vowell, Brandon Wheat and Meagan Wheat Copeland (Stephen); sister-in-law, Mattie (Toby) Kelly; her nieces and nephews, William Lee Cate, Cathy Cate, Steve Vowell, Vicki Vowell, Ruth Kelly Fielden, Janeen Holdeman Burnham, Judi Holdeman, Bill Holdeman and Bob Holdeman; four great-grandchildren; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.
She was born on March 13, 1926, in Union City and was 100 years old at her death. She was active in the Tennessee Senior Olympics and the National Senior Games, holding nearly every Tennessee swimming record, and some national swimming records, with a very considerable assist from her swimming coach and family friend, Frank Leach. She was elected to the Weakley County Sports Hall of Fame in 2024 and the Tennessee Senior Olympics Hall of Fame in 2025. She played on the girls’ basketball team at Union City High School, the Golden Tornadoes, wearing No. 14, coached by the beloved R.G. Wilson, who always drove her to games in his car (a Graham) and who once took the entire team to see the Harlem Globetrotters play in Fulton.
She went to the University of Tennessee Junior College in Martin thanks to an aviation scholarship and a job working as secretary for John E. McMahon (a/k/a “Mr. Mack”) in the greenhouse at the agriculture department where she graduated with a dual degree in home economics and aviation and gave the commencement address even though she was not the class president. She did not sneak out to get cigarettes the whole time she was in college, but knew who did and did not think less of them.
She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Martin, where she taught Sunday School for 25 years and was beloved by all the children she taught.
She was an avid genealogist and was actively involved with the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the American Colonists and the Huguenot Society of Manakin. She served in many offices at the local and state level.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Addington Vowell (P-47 pilot in the United States Army Air Corps); her son, David Morris Vowell, who, like the other three children, was her favorite; her father, William C. Kelly and her mother, Mary Bird Pursley Kelly; her brother, William C. Kelly Jr.; her sisters (some might say half-sisters), Martha Kelly Holdeman and Carolyn Kelly Whittlesey; her father-in-law, Morris Alfred Vowell, and mother-in-law, Mary Sue Addington Vowell; her sister-in-law, Patti Sue Vowell Cate and husband, Tech. Sgt. Billy Frank Cate (United States Navy and United States Air Force); brother-in-law and United States Air Force pilot, Major John MacDonald Vowell and wife, the noted and charming nurse, bridge player, and conversationalist Jacqueline Ann Vowell; and granddaughter, Texanna Lea Vowell.
She was able to live out her years in her own home all the way to the end thanks to the most dedicated and special caregivers in the world, including Linda Covington, Geraldine Bivens, Sherry Wilkerson, Sheri Islas, Sabrina Simmons, Sandi Bancroft and Lana Long. Special mention to Dr. Mike Hinds, Nurse Practitioner Aimee Stooksberry and staff, and Dr. Michael Chua, Marie Chua and their team.
Visitation was held Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home, 207 Central St., Martin.
Visitation and funeral services were on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 225 Main St., Martin, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. followed by the service at 3 p.m. Burial followed at Eastside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Martin First United Methodist Church.
Murphy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
The Messenger