Mary Ann Elam

Heaven's Garden is even more beautiful today because the good Lord has picked the most beautiful flower from his earthly garden that was our Mother, Grandmother and Friend to so many.

Born in Houston, Texas October 12, 1942. At the age of 7 as a little sprout, she was already a caretaker, cooking and cleaning for her mother and others. By the age of 12 she had her first paying job as a soda fountain girl in a Drug Store in Navasota, Texas.

She continued to blossom into a young lady and went to Beauty School and worked in her Mother’s beauty shop at 15 and married at 16.

She had 4 children – Vicky Susanne Miller, Jo Denise Baird, Victor Frank Rice Jr. and Micheal Wayne Rice and had 4 step-children from the man that later became the love of her life in 1978 - Charles (Chuck) Thomas Elam. She is survived by her children, 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren albeit there are many that saw her as their mom.

Mary served as a caregiver her entire life. She had a very successful career in Marketing and Advertising, but her passion was people. She loved caring for others and continued to care for many in their homes as a caregiver/friend and confidant.

Mary loved to work (meditate as she called it) in her gardens. She was a Master Gardner obtaining her degree from the University of Arkansas at the age of 65. Anyone that knows the hard, rocky grounds of Pinnacle Mountain knows how difficult it is to get anything to grow (except weeds) but she could plant anything (and she did and she planted in anything such as; in a rock crevice, a toilet, an old pair of boots and it never failed to grow.  She also loved to quilt but said that was only for rainy days.

She will be missed by many but none more so than her best friend and should have been sister because they were in every way – Dolly McIntire. 

She grew many gardens in her time on this earth but none more fruitful and beautiful than those rooted in her Children, Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Natural Steps Baptist Church, Roland , AR on Monday November 14, 2022 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Natural Steps Baptist Church. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, AR 72205.