Mary Elizabeth Haynie Lavender

With love and deep sorrow, the family of Mary Elizabeth Lavender announces her peaceful passing on March 6, 2026, at the age of 96, surrounded by the love of her family. The funeral service will be Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Minister Les Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 9:30 A.M. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Prescott, AR.

Mary was born on August 17, 1929, in Prescott, Arkansas. She spent her early years in El Dorado, Arkansas, where she graduated from high school before her family returned to Prescott. It was there that she met the love of her life, J. Leland Lavender, who had recently returned home from serving in World War II.

Mary and J. Leland were married on December 23, 1947, and began their life together in Prescott before settling in Hope, Arkansas. In Hope, they raised their four children and were faithful members of the Church of Christ, where Mr. Lavender served as an elder. Their home was filled with faith, love, laughter, and a steadfast devotion to family and church. Mary was a devoted homemaker who lovingly cared for every need of her family.

After J. Leland’s passing in 1985, Mary moved to Oxford, Mississippi, to be near her daughter Suzanne and her husband, Larry. She helped raise Suzanne’s children and treasured watching them grow and begin lives of their own. She became an active member of the Oxford Church of Christ, where she continued her lifelong devotion to Christian service by teaching Sunday morning Bible classes and helping with Vacation Bible School, joyfully nurturing the faith of younger generations. Larry and Suzanne cherished the blessing of caring for her. Their bond was deep, rooted in faith and wrapped in enduring love.

The greatest joy of her life was her family, whom she loved deeply. Nothing brought her more happiness than being “Mammie” to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a beautiful and perfect love for each of them and found immeasurable joy in being part of their everyday lives. She delighted in their laughter and treasured even the simplest moments spent together—especially sharing gummy bears while watching cartoons with her great-grandchildren Claire, Sophia, and Brooks. She encouraged them through every season of life, always their biggest supporter and proudest cheerleader. Those simple, joyful moments together became the memories her family will forever hold close to their hearts.

Her smile, happiness, and laughter had a way of lifting everyone around her. She had a witty sense of humor and loved to joke with her family, always ready with a playful remark and a grin that let you know she was up to something. A devoted Ole Miss football fan, she was often heard asking, “What channel is the game on?” well before kickoff, determined not to miss a single snap as she cheered on her Rebels.

She was a woman of deep and abiding faith and faithfully spent each evening studying God’s Word. Her faith guided her life, strengthened her through every season, and shaped the love she shared so freely with others. To know her was to feel deeply loved and cared for in a way that made life brighter.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J. Leland Lavender; her sons, Thomas Lavender, J. Leland Lavender Jr, and Larry Lavender; and her parents, J. F. and Lillie Bell Haynie.

She will forever remain in the hearts of those she left behind: her daughter, Suzanne and husband Larry; her cherished grandchildren, Blake and wife Darah, Abigail and husband Tony, Neil, Anna Grace, Leland and wife Peggy, Laci and husband Steve, Ty, and Kathryn; as well as many beloved great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

After a long and faithful life, Mary has now entered the eternal joy promised to those who love the Lord. Her favorite verse in the Bible was John 11:25, where Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Her family finds great comfort in this promise and in the faith that guided her life so beautifully.

Expression of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mrs. Lavender’s memory may be made to the Oxford Church of Christ, P.O. Box 1500, Oxford, MS 38655 or online at https://www.ococ.org/give/.