She was born in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Kent and Katherine McWilliams. Mary attended Fairview Elementary and Ensley High School, where she was a majorette. She then attended the University of Alabama. On March 28, 1949, Mary married the love of her life, Richard McRee at Ensley Christian Church, and they would enjoy 70 years of marriage.
Mary was a devout Christian, adoring wife, and loving mother. She loved cooking and was always trying new recipes out of her collection of cookbooks. When she was a little girl, she took tap and ballet, and her love of dance would continue throughout her life. Mary and Richard were members of the Swinging Stars Square Dance Club, and they loved square dancing and round dancing. She also loved to sew, sing in the choir, and had an interest in family genealogy.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Kent and Katherine McWilliams; and her husband, Richard McRee.
Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Vickie Rutherford (Bruce), Kent McRee (Laura), and Leigh Ann Corvin (Bruce); her grandchildren, Kimberly Texidor (Manuel), Kristie Hamby (Josh), and Nathan Corvin; and her great-grandchildren, Olivia Texidor, Isaac Texidor, Aaron Texidor, Luke Hamby, and William Hamby.
A visitation will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm with a service beginning at 2:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at Elmwood Cemetery.
