Mary Alice Broome

Mary Alice (Whitaker) Broome passed away peacefully, Sunday, December 8, 2013 in Lee’s Summit, MO. Services will be held Saturday, December 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville, MS. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. will be followed by her service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery, Batesville, MS. Wells Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Alice was born on April 26, 1923 in Memphis, TN, to Dr. Darel W. and Reba Whitaker. She graduated from Sardis High School, Sardis, MS. As a young woman she began her nursing experience with training at the Grenada Hospital accompanying her father on medical calls and in his clinic. She married Earl Wayne Broome on December 20, 1942, in Sardis, MS. To this union were born eight sons, Steven, Ben, Earl Jr., Joe, Paul, Brent and twins born prematurely. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wayne, three brothers, James “Doc” Whitaker of Batesville, MS, Vernon “Punk” Whitaker, Batesville, MS, and Clyde Whitaker, Tupelo, MS, and three sons, Steven, Ben, and Brent. Survivors include Earl Broome, Jr. and his wife, Lily, Nicholasville, KY, Paul Broome, and his wife, Judy, Grain Valley, MO, Joe Broome, and his wife, Suzanne, Overland Park, KS, daughter-in-law, Therese Kearney, and her husband, David, Overland Park, KS, eleven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, her brother, Mirl Whitaker, and his wife, Alene, Springfield, IL, sisters, Stella Jo Whitaker, Tupelo, MS, Alta Irving, Loudon, TN, Barbara Smith, Madison, MS, and many nieces and nephews. Always true to her southern heritage, Mary Alice was an excellent cook. She loved to entertain and decorate her home, especially at Christmas time. Her friends looked forward to receiving a “Mary Alice Broome” invitation. She was very creative and artistic, and discovered a talent for oil painting. She enjoyed needlework, and in her later years, enjoyed making ceramics. She was also an excellent gardener. Mary Alice was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She cherished family gatherings. Her joy was to be surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was an inspiration and mentor to her daughters-in-law and all who knew her in all things concerning family, homemaking and living a gracious life; and her family treasured her. She lived her life in faith, and with grace and elegance, even in difficult times. A truly Godly woman, she never spoke critically or negatively. She embodied the qualities of the Proverbs 31 woman. She will be greatly missed by many friends and family.