Mary Alice McCuistion Acklin

Mary Alice McCuistion Acklin, beloved family member and friend, went to be with her Lord, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. She was 89. Mary Alice was born Oct. 21, 1924, to the late Ed and Ruth Bassett McCuistion in Wilson, Ark. Mary Alice married the love of her life, Eugene Wilson Acklin on July 18, 1943 and was happily married for 49 years before his death in 1992. She is survived by three sons and a daughter, Edward Michael Acklin of Bryant, Christopher Jewel "Kit" Acklin of Enola, James Charles Acklin of McHenry, Miss., and Shelby Acklin Churchwell of Bryant; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert McCuistion of Arlington, Texas, and Fred McCuistion of Little Rock; plus a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides her husband and parents, she is predeceased by a son, David Eugene Acklin; her brothers, James Fred McCuistion and John Ed McCuistion; and sisters, Elizabeth Ann Richardson and Judith Claire Gulya. Mary Alice was a devout Christian and member of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She loved her church, her church family and served it faithfully. She was an active member of UMW, Circle 2, a member of the Chancel and Handbell Choirs, and served on numerous committees throughout the years. She was a graduate of Little Rock High School in 1942 and attended Little Rock Junior College for one year. She always like saying that "twenty years and four children later" she returned to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Education at Little Rock University and a Master's Degree in Elementary Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. Her first 10 years in education she was a private kindergarten teacher. In 1967, she went to work for the Stuttgart Public School District where she was an elementary classroom teacher and an elementary guidance counselor before her retirement in 1990. She felt blessed to have a family that supported her career. She loved all of her students individually over the years and felt an honor to be their teacher. Visitation will be held Sunday, Feb. 23, from 2-4 p.m. at Turpin Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church in Stuttgart, Ark. Interment will be at Forrest Hills in Alexander, Ark. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.