Mary Elizabeth Singleton

Visitation will be observed on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the Walmsley United Methodist Church in Morgan City, LA from 9:00 AM until funeral services at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow funeral services in the Morgan City Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Browder was born June 1, 1939 in San Antonio, TX to the late Charles Browder and Mary Louise Hill Browder. Her mother later married Albert “Bubba Page” Thorne. Mary was raised in Morgan City and attended Morgan City Colored School and graduated third in her class from the Sumpter Williams High School. She later attended Young Memorial Technical School and later married the late Wilbert “Hockbone” Singleton and to this union, seven children were born.

Mary attended the Walsmsley United Methodist Church for sixty-five years, where she served in many capacities, serving as the school superintendent, church treasurer, church secretary and she also sang in the choir. After her service, she would later visit other different churches. From her youth, she would always say, “She didn’t need a title, she was willing to help when needed, she also sang in many different choirs. When there was a funeral and they didn’t have a full choir, it was seldom that she was not there to help. She enjoyed preparing meals, bringing sodas, and baking cakes for bereaved families.

Mary wore many different hats in her professional career. She worked as a social worker for Community Action Department and Development, head at the West Bros Department Store, cashier at Howard’s Department store, an agent for the Security Industrial Insurance Company, and also a nursery supervisor for the Mother Goose Daycare, where she retired. Mary was one the charter members of the Krewe of Hannibal and the Krewe of Henyathe serving as the financial secretary for both krewes. She also served on the board for the area Biddy Ball. She got along with the young, middle-aged and the old. SHE WAS WELL KNOWN IN HER COMMUNITY!

Mary leaves to mourn, her children and their spouses: Sherree Singleton, Wilbert Singleton, III both of Morgan City, LA, Joseph A. (Judy) Singleton of Patterson, LA, Darroll A. Singleton of Tacoma, WA; Cassandra Singleton Thomas, and Cheryell Singleton all of Morgan City, LA; sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles (Helen) Browder; two step-sons, Vince Murray and Reginald (Patricia) Davis; two adopted sons, Denver Chapman and Byron O’Guin; three godchildren, Lloyd Humphrey, Merrick Young, and Linda Williams; two close cousins, Gertrude Bartley and Mary P. Hartman and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Singleton, Jr.; a son, Carl Singleton, her parents, Charles Browder, Sr. and Mary Louise Hill Thorne and her step-father, Albert Thorne.