Mary Louise Fender

Mary Louise Arnold Fender, age 75, a native of Pearson, Georgia and a resident of Grand Bay, Alabama for the past 15 years passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at home surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born on March 11, 1945, and from there, wrote a story of a life full of love and happiness. She met her one and only true love at age 16 and married him at 18. They went on to have 5 beautiful little girls together who in turn, blessed them with and abundance of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Welburn Martin Fender; daughter, Cindy Belle Fender; parents, Cleo Arnold Sr. and Melba Corbitt Arnold; brothers, JC Arnold, Richard Arnold, David Arnold, and Bobby Arnold; and sister, Cathy Westburry. She is survived by her siblings, Pauline Thomas, JoAnn & Allen McQueen, Cleo Jr. & Dena Arnold, Jack & Bridgett Arnold, and Vernie Arnold; children, Melba & George McCleery, Teresa & Brian Bratton, Tina Fender Pearson, and Lisa & Brian Winter; grandchildren, Samuel McCleery, Daryl McCleery, Kathy McCleery, David McCleery, Jamie McCleery, Joshua Bratton, Myke Jenkins, Brittany Bratton, Carson Fambro, Rachel Lightsey, Hayley Rawahneh, Amber Farley, David Farley, Amber McDonald, Joseph Barr, Kierstin Brockway, Micah Brockway, Zachary Whiting and Jordan Whiting; and great grandchildren, Sammy McCleery, Hunter McCleery, Kayley McCleery, Cynthia McCleery, DJ McCleery, Shelby McCleery, Georgina McCleery, Destiney McCleery, Creek Lightsey, Briar Lightsey, Kyleigh Rawahneh, Addie Rawahneh, Noah Farley, Leeland McDonald, Madison McDonald, Everleigh McDonald, Ari Barr, Finley Odum, John Brockway, Bentley Whiting and Makenzie Whiting. There are many things that Louise enjoyed such as going shopping, eating Popeyes chicken/orange sherbet, etc.; but if you ask anyone who truly knew her, they would say that the one thing that brought the most joy to her life were her children and grandchildren. It wasn't often that you'd call her home and hear peace and quiet. There were always lots of giggles, the pitter patter of little feet running through the house, tiny voices saying "who is that? Can I talk to them?", or cartoons playing in the background. Most people would quickly get annoyed with these things, but "Granny" didn't. You wouldn't punish or scold her grandbabies when she was around without quickly being reminded that you were just like them when you were younger, and they're "only little once". She was always the life of the party in any situation; cutting jokes, making funny noises, breaking out in dance regardless of who was around. She always knew how to put a smile on your face and somehow knew exactly when it was needed. Whether it was her silly dances, her putting a pot in the chairs at the kitchen table for us to sit on to eat dinner, or her going broke from all of the snow cones she had to buy we were around, there are so many wonderful memories that she made with each and every one of us that we will carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives. She held many titles during her life: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Friend, "Mama", "Granny"; and she was the glue that held all of us together, the Matriarch of our Tribe. Visitation for Mary Louise will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 from 10:00 AM-12 PM at Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, Alabama 36582. Funeral services, officiated by Micah Brockway, will follow from 12 PM-1 PM in the Chapel, including a tribute in song by Kierstin Brockway. Honorary pallbearers include: Joshua Bratton, Myke Jenkins, Zachary Whiting, Micah Brockway, Carson Fambro and Joseph Barr. Graveside services will take place at approximately 2pm at Crestlawn Memorial, 4111 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564.

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Mary Louise Fender

March 11, 1945 - February 7, 2021