Mary Elizabeth Essex

Mary Elizabeth Essex, 94, Independence, MO passed away November 15, 2017. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday, December 3, 2017 at Cornerstone Community of Christ Church, 1316 S. Osage, Independence, MO 64055. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Mary was born on April 20, 1923 to Burnice William and Lula May Hughes near Butler, Mo. BW was a farmer, salesman and eventually a Methodist minister. Mary grew up

as a PK (preacher’s kid) and moved almost yearly. She wanted to join the WAC but that

wasn’t accepted well by her family so she went to the University of Kansas and became a teacher. She taught History and Physical Education. She was very active in local and national teacher’s organizations and served on the NEA Board for several years.

In 1964 Mary married Albert A. Essex. She inherited five children - Sylvia Denman, Susan Rice, Diane Perrin, Jim Essex and John Essex, 14 grandkids, 42 great grandkids and 34 great-great grandkids.

Mary was a member of the Methodist church until she married Bert, then was a member of the Community of Christ Bethel, East Alton and Cornerstone congregations. She sang in the Independence Messiah Choir for 42 years under Harold Neal and Jack Ergo. Bert sang with her for 32 years until his death in 2000. After his death, she went with the choir to sing at Carnegie Hall.

Mary and Bert loved to travel and loved their cabin in Colorado where she attended the Allenspark Community church.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Essex, parents Lula and BW Hughes, and her siblings Bill, Elsa, Norma, and Charles.