She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, James Ray Hight, Sr. She was the daughter of Ben Dewitt Evans and Evelyn Walls Evans. Mary Nelle had three children, Susan Lynn Hight who unfortunately died shortly after birth, her son Dr. James Ray (Jay) Hight, Jr., and a daughter Mary Corinne Hight, Author. She also had two grandchildren, Dr. Lucy Hight Digman and Julie Hight, and three great-grandchildren. She was a valuable helpmate to her husband and a stellar mother to her children.
Mary Nelle graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, Tennessee. in 1949. She married soon after on October 8, 1949. During the time that followed, she became an exceptional housewife, keeping the home unbelievably clean and tidy with two small children and provided supper at the table every evening with the help of her widowed mother who lived with them. She was known for her organization and tidiness and hard work ethic. She taught two-year-olds in Sunday school at the Jackson First Methodist Church for at least a decade, if not longer. In the 1960’s she began working for The Red Cross. There she found her ability to help people with compassion and love. Then she got a job with the Department of Workforce Development and Employment Security, working her way up to the position of adjudicator for unemployment claims. Again, her compassion and thoughtfulness for others was experienced by many struggling people. Her nature was to be always kind and giving, which she showed to all she knew. Mary Nelle was always exceptionally beautiful inside and outside. She worked well into her 70’s before retiring.
Mary Nelle was a founding member of “The Canister Club,” a group of friends from early years who formed a group of women who gathered once a month to play canister, talk and enjoy each other’s company. That club lasted her entire life—as long as the ladies were able to participate—and they were all a big part of their children’s lives. Memories of the club meetings in each others’ homes warm the heart of the now grown children who knew them. There were vacations together yearly, initially with all family members, then later with just the ladies as a much needed getaway, at a cabin at the Tennessee River. The song, “Shall We Gather At The River” was the only song she requested sung at her funeral.
Mary Nelle will long be remembered at a sweet, kind, agreeable woman, who always had her family’s best interests at heart. Everybody who met her loved her. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman who carried that beauty, not only in her looks but her personality as well. She will be sorely missed by many.
A graveside service for Mary Nelle will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 1 pm at Hollywood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, if anyone is so inclined, the family asks that donations be made to animal rescues, especially cats, as she had a deep, abiding love for all homeless animals.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Hight family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5