Marion Francis Mouser McRae

Marion Francis Mouser McRae, our loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on August 24, 2017 at the age of 90. Marion was born in Hope, Ark. on March 27, 1927 to parents, Maude Dell Eubanks Mouser and Rufus Nathan Mouser. She is predeceased by her parents and sister, Rutha Rebecca Poe. Marion grew up on her family farm on Caney Creek in Hempsted County. Her family later moved to Hope where she attended Hope Elementary School and graduated from Hope High School in 1945. She attended Hendrix College in 1946 and left to work at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas. She returned to Hope and married her sweetheart Kenneth Gilbert McRae III on June 3, 1950. After marriage, the McRae's moved to Forest City, Ark. and lived on Crow Creek Cattle Ranch before moving to Little Rock in 1957 where she raised her family. In addition to being a full-time mother, Marion worked as a realtor with Willis and Co. and later became a successful interior decorator working on several prominent Little Rock projects including the Pulaski Bank Building. Marion loved being a mother to her four sons and took great pride in her family. She was a loving grandmother and great grandmother to seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, who all knew her fondly as Mao Mao or Mau. Marion was always up for a road trip, attending any and all family events and loved attending church at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where she served as President of the Episcopal Church Women and was a member for more than 50 years. She provided a constant source of guidance, advice, wisdom and love, all the while offering opinions on all subjects. She loved poking around antique shops, was a voracious reader, worked daily cross word puzzles and the cryptoqoute. She loved to spend time in her beautiful garden and tell stories, especially of her beloved hometown of Hope describing herself as a ‘simple country girl.' Marion passes on a legacy of art appreciation, avid reading, knowledge of and an interest in gardening and plant naming, telling stories and laughing, all with a quick and sharp wit. Her faith was very important to her and she was steadfast and constant in reading the Bible, Book of Common Prayer, and Daily Devotion. Marion is survived by her four beloved sons, Kenneth Gilbert McRae IV (Sherry), Nathan Williams McRae, Brooks Grayson McRae (Elizabeth), and Thomas Jefferson McRae (Emily) all of Little Rock, Ark. She is also survived by grandchildren, Colin McRae Mitchell (Guy) and their children, Madeline, Guy IV and Leslie all of Birmingham, Ala., Matt Graves, Justin McRae (Natalie), Grayson McRae, Lillian McRae, Seth McRae, and Evan McRae all of Little Rock; nephew, John Poe (Sylvia) of Indianola, Iowa and nieces, Nanette Bilyeu of Edmond, Okla. and Becky Poe Townsend of Maitland, Fla. For dedicated care, companionship and service, the family would like to thank caregivers Carrie Charleston, Myisha Charleston, Brittney Hollins and Wanda Fay Bell, the staff at Hickory Heights Rehab and Arkansas Hospice. There will be a visitation for family and friends at Ruebel Funeral Home on Monday, August 28 from 5pm to 7pm. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 29 at 10:30 am at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 West 17th Street in downtown Little Rock, officiated by the Very Reverend Dr.Christoph Keller III with funeral arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. The burial service will follow at the Mouser Cemetery outside Hope, Ark. officiated by Reverend David Stockwell and arranged by Herndon Funeral Home in Hope. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.