Mary Evelyn Kent, daughter of the late Nora Clark and Vernie Holmes, departed this world into her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the age of 92, knowing she was loved and will be missed by many.
Mary was born December 5, 1931, in Dyersburg Tennessee. On July 12, 1947, Mary was united in marriage to her school sweetheart, Homer Lee Kent. They resided in Peach Orchard, Missouri until 1950 when they moved to Logansport, Indiana. In 1962, life brought them to Malden, Missouri where they resided until moving to their home in Dexter, Missouri in 1994. After arriving to Missouri, this couple answered their calling from God and helped to build several of the Pentecostal churches across Southeast Missouri.
She leaves behind one daughter, Patricia Rodgers (and late husband Thomas) of Dexter; three granddaughters, Heather (Logan) Hairston of Dexter, Candice (James) Burleson of Malden, Missouri and Kristina Stone of Sikeston; two grandsons, Jack Schmerber of Dexter and David Jones of Bertrand; eleven great grandchildren, Prestyn, Kaylar, and Jayce Tidwell, James and Deklyn Hairston, Sierra (Devon) Green of Advance, Trinity Stone, of Sikeston, Hallie Skelton (Trevor Samons) of Dexter, Bentley Stayton and Christian Arment of Malden, and Wyatt Smelt, of Dexter; and four great great grandchildren, Maleigha, Kamber , Kaison, and Rowan Green of Advance. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and lots of friends who loved her tremendously. Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 73 years, Homer, one son, Lee Roy Kent, one sister, Joann Osborn, and three brothers, Shorty, Billy, and Robert Holmes.
Mary was a homemaker, who valued the power of prayer and loved her family more than words could describe. She had a one-of-a-kind personality, a true heart of gold, and a smile that shined. If you were loved by Mary, you knew what true, unconditional love really was. If you knew Mary, you knew that she had the heart of a child wherever she went. She loved playing with the kids anywhere she went, even in her later years, she still believed she could do whatever the kids did. She enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, making sugar cookies with her grandchildren, and being able to serve God in ways she felt called. Mary was a member of the First Pentecostal Church of Dexter.
Family and friends may call at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri on Wednesday, December 27th. Visitation will be for close family from 10:00am-11:00am, then with friends from 11:00am-1:00pm. Funeral with Bro. Jeff Wells officiating will follow at 1:00pm in the chapel. Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please contact Jackson Florist in Dexter, Mo.
