Mary Turman

Mary Frances Turman, 93, of Siloam Springs AR passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2021 at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Mary was born at home in the Kincheloe community on January 30th, 1928 to Robert Edward Lee Turman and Anna May (Carter) Turman.  The family farmed and Mary was an only child so she worked on all farm chores as needed.  Mary completed formal schooling through the 8th grade.  She did home schooling and studying in order to earn her high school certification.  When Mary was 16 her father contracted TB so at age 16 she had to go to work to help support the family.  Her father passed away of heart disease when Mary was 21 years old.  She took wonderful loving care of her mother, Annie, throughout the remaining 27 years of Annie’s life.  At 16 she either caught a ride or walked the 5 miles from the family farm to work at Allen’s Canning on E Jefferson St.  She also cooked at Jay Bird School at East Kenwood & Hwy 16.  After Jay Bird was consolidate into the Siloam Springs school district she was a cook at the Siloam Springs High School.  She was famous for her peanut butter cookies that she served.   She taught herself to drive by driving their Model A around in the fields.

She later worked at Patterson Manufacturing.  When they closed in Siloam, Mary rode with others to work at Patterson Manufacturing in Grove, OK.  She then got a job at Roth Food Center as a meat processor and wrapper.  She was the face at the counter so she became friends with many people throughout Siloam.  After Roth’s closed she started work at La-Z-Boy where she worked until her retirement.  Mary had been a seamstress throughout her life so she brought wonderful experience to La-Z-Boy.    She was also a faithful member of Gum Springs Baptist Church throughout her life having been baptized as a teenager in the Illinois River.

Mary was proceeded in death by her parents and all of her aunts and uncles.  She is survived by several cousins and many close friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 9:00-10:00 am with a graveside service following at 11:00 am at the Weddington Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Backstom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Gum Springs Baptist Church 20054 Keck Rd. Siloam Springs, AR 72761