Mary Lones

Mary Ruth Stegall Lones' faith became sight on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Mary Ruth was born on August 26, 1948 to Fletcher Eugene & Verda Lee Stegall. Mary Ruth was their second child and first daughter. There would be 5 more children to follow, 2 more girls and 3 boys. At a fairly young age she went to live with Leonard & Marietta Roberts and their three children. The influence of this family on Mary Ruth and her children's lives is incalculable.

Mary Ruth has had many titles over the years. She was a daughter, sister, friend, girl scout, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, seamstress, Sunday School teacher, Church Bus worker, troop leader, CNA, LPN, & RN. Mary Ruth has also been known by many names, Mary Ruth, Mom, Mamaw Mary Ruth, Mamaw, Mamaw Roo Roo, Mamaw Moo, Punk, Sis Mary Ruth, & Mary and most recently Merr & My Little Mamma.

When she was about 13 years old she moved to Sweetwater to help her cousin and his wife as they welcomed their 2nd son, Joe Ark. Mary and Joe would have a special relationship for the rest of her life. This is where she met the love of her life Jimmy Lee Lones. At age 15 she went to live with an aunt and uncle in La Porte IN. After a short stay in La Porte, IN, Mary Ruth moved back to Tennessee where she married Jimmy on October 19, 1964. Mary Ruth and Jimmy had 4 children 1 son and 3 daughters. James Edward (Little Jim) was born in November 1965, Mary Jane was born in 1969, Pamela Denise was born in 1970, and Rebecca Dawn (Little Bitt) was born in 1977.

Mary Ruth and her three oldest children began attending Salem Baptist Church in Ten Mile, TN in the early to mid-1970's. Mary Ruth was a church bus worker, a beginner's church teacher, Bible School teacher, and sang in the choir. Mary Ruth was a faithful member until her health began to fail. Her pastor of almost 45 years Ted Clower and his wife Phene faithfully visited and checked on Mary Ruth during her lengthy illness.

In 1977, Jimmy & Mary Ruth moved from the Lones Family Farm on Slab Town Road to 712 Broad St in Sweetwater. Mary Ruth lived there until 1995 when she moved back into the Erie Community. While living in Sweetwater Mary Ruth became very involved with the Girls Scouts and was a troop leader from the late 1970's until 1995.

Prior to 1981 Mary Ruth worked in various sewing factories in McMinn, Monroe, and Bradly Counties. In 1981, Mary Ruth became a CNA and began LPN school. After graduating, she began working at Athens Community Hospital, where she worked for 13 years. During her time at ACH, Mary Ruth enrolled in Hiwassee College and received her AA in 1990. Mary Ruth then enrolled in the New York Regency program, through which she received her ASN and her RN in 1995. About this time Mary Ruth began working in home health, she later worked for NHC and Life Care Centers of Athens. She wrapped up her career at Fort Loudon Hospital in Lenoir City. During her career she was a wound care nurse, ICU nurse, chemotherapy nurse, home health nurse, camp nurse, and a med surge nurse.

Mary Ruth was preceded in death by her oldest daughter Mary Jane Lones Chrisman and son-in-law Mark Chrisman, great-grandson Adam Taylor, father Fletcher Eugene Stegall, mother Verda Pass, step father Pete Pass, adoptive parents Leonard & Marietta Roberts and her ex-husband and father of her children Jimmy Lee Lones.

Mary Ruth is survived by her children James Edward Lones (Linda) of Philadelphia, TN, Pamela Denise Brooks (Robert) of Madisonville, TN, Rebecca Dawn aka Little Bitt Hutsell (Allen) of Decatur, TN, grandchildren Crystal Lones-Williams (Danny), Michael Taylor Jr. (Dasha), Gary Taylor (Felisha), Nikki Lones, Justin Chrisman(Jessica), Kimberly Bentley (Dylan), Tyler Chrisman (Chelsey) Chase Lones-Belcher, & Emma Grace Hutsell, Jeremy (Cassie) Taylor, Keith (Amy) Taylor, 19 great-grandchildren, siblings Jane Rodgers, Rita Stamey, Ricky Stegall (Sheila) Dawn Roberts, Tony Roberts (Janice) & Daryl Roberts (Sandra) and a host of other family & friends.

We would like to extend a special Thank You to Tammi Mora and Taleitha Billingsley and the rest of the Life Care Center of Athens Activities Department for the exceptional care they gave Our Little Mamma over the past 6 years, Salem Baptist Church for their continued love and support, Joy Hutsell, Ted & Phene Clower for their unfailing love and friendship, & to Aundrea Walton for her tireless love, care, and support during the final days of Our Little Mamma's life.

The family will receive friends at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in 1212 Salem Valley Rd. Ten Mile TN on Friday October 6th, 2023 from 5 pm to 7 pm the funeral will follow with the Dr. Ted Clower officiating. A graveside service will be held at Sweetwater Memorial Park in Sweetwater TN at 2 pm on Saturday October 7th, 2023. Pallbearers will be Joshua Walton, Dylan Bently, Eddie Walden, Jeremy Taylor, Chase Belcher, & Danny Williams. Honorary Pallbearers Michael Taylor Jr and Gary Taylor.

In leu of flowers donations can be made to Salem Baptist Church Building Fund or Bus Ministry, 1212 Salem Valley Rd., Ten Mile, TN 37880 or Women at the Well Ministries, 881 County Rd 655, Athens, TN 37303.