Mary Catherine Heflin

Mary Catherine Heflin, 98, passed away surrounded by family on Sept. 6, 2013 at her daughter's home in Bryant, Ark. She began her journey in Mississippi when she was born to Roy T. and Maggie Carter on Oct. 21, 1914. Growing up she was a care giver to her other five siblings. A trait that would define her throughout her life but she was also a little sis to four older half siblings. There, she met a boy from Arkansas and the love of her life, Allen Heflin. They married on Jan. 1, 1936 and soon moved to Arkansas and built a home in the Harmony Grove community near Camden. Together they farmed and ran small businesses. Their love affair lasted 62 years until his death on Nov. 5, 1998. Family and friends described Mary as the hardest working woman they had ever seen. Mary and Allen had two daughters, Jo Ann and Mary Nell, and her greatest joy in life was taking care of her family. Until she was 85, she regularly hosted Sunday dinner at her house. Her biscuits, purple hull peas, chicken and dressing, cold slaw, and macaroni and cheese are family legends that are still missed today. She was Mamaw to her grandchildren and served everyone's individual favorite dishes at each meal. Today, she is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Murry and her family, husband, Bruce, of near Locust Bayou; daughter, Gay Nell Wilson and her husband, Jim, of Magnolia and a son, Robert Murry and his wife, Julie, of near Locust Bayou. She is also survived by her daughter, Mary Pigott Hudnall and her family, husband, Ed of Bryant; sons Walt Pigott and his wife, Angel of Sparkman, Steve Pigott and his wife Kim, of Monticello and a step-son, Scott Hudnall and his wife, Karisa of Mayflower. Jeffery Lee Hudnall predeceased his Mamaw. She is also survived by her one remaining sibling, Lavonia England and her husband, Ed of Jackson, Miss., and a sister-in-law, Eva Carter, of Metairie, La. Mamaw leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren who will deeply miss her love, her twinkling eyes and infectious smile that warmed the hearts of even strangers. The family wishes to thank Baptist Health Hospice for their loving support and guidance during her last days and would like to recognize her physician, Ann Riggs, and her staff at the UAMS Senior Center for their outstanding care these past few years. Her services will be at Proctor Funeral Home Chapel in Camden, Ark. at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8. Brother David Dillard will be officiating. Family visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. that day and last until the service. Burial service will follow at Bethel Cemetery near Bearden, Ark. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.