Mary Slinkard

Mary Lewis Slinkard, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born Dec. 10, 1932, at Bloomfield, Missouri, to Simeon and Kate Mason Lewis. She married Loren Slinkard on Oct. 10, 1958.

Mary graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1950. She attended Southeast Missouri State University two years. In September 1950 she began employment with Southwestern Bell, retiring in March 1984.

She was a member of Telephone Pioneers of America and served as president of both the active and life member clubs. She became a member of the Baptist church in 1956. She was a Sunday school teacher 15 years and primary department director 10 years. She served as a leader in the Young Women's Association six years and the Girls Auxiliary six years. Mary also served as a Girl Scout leader 11 years.

After retiring, Mary traveled extensively. Her travels took her to all 50 states and all provinces of Canada. She traveled to all seven continents, 185 countries, and sailed on all the oceans and major seas.

She is survived by her husband, Loren of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Sharon L. Cortelyou of St. Louis; a sibling; other relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.

Visitation will be from noon until time of service today at Crain Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the funeral home, with Cary Vaughn, CEO of Love Worth Finding Ministries in Memphis, Tennessee, and Bob Dawkins, also of Love Worth Finding, officiating. Interment will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Love Worth Finding Ministries and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences, visit crainsonline.com.