Mary Jon Bell Tarver was born July 15, 1928 to Edgar and Pauline Bell in Bessmay, TX and slipped the bindings of this world on December 25, 2014, in Plano, TX.
She and her family moved to Silsbee, TX where she would meet and marry the love of her life, John S. Tarver, Jr. Mary and her husband were active members of First Baptist Church where she served faithfully as a Preschool Sunday School teacher and Library volunteer.
Mary was retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. She was an active volunteer in civic organizations including The Christian Care Center and Kindergarten Round-Up. She also was an avid Bridge player.
She is preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Pauline Bell; by her brother, Thomas Bell and by her husband, Johnny. Left to mourn her loss are her daughter and son in law, Phyllis and Jim Graham of Plano; son and daughter in law, John and Suzy Tarver of Montgomery, TX; grandchildren, Jason and Shannon Graham of East Stroudsburg, PA, Jeremy and Jan Graham of New York City, NY; Seth Tarver of Ft. Worth, TX; Zane Tarver of Broken Arrow, OK; and Wil Tarver of Montgomery, TX; great grandson, Austin Graham of New York City, NY; brother and sisters in law, Delton and Bettie Bell of Grand Prairie ; Joe and Carol Bell of Fredericksburg, TX; sister, Margaret Costlow of Lewisville, TX ; sister and brother in law Polly and Scott Clark of Silsbee; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family.
She loved the Lord, her family, and friends. Her faith in Christ carried her straight into His arms when she departed this life. As a family, we are assured that she is alive now, more so than ever, and that our parting is only temporary.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Quilts for Wounded Soldiers fund at First Baptist Church, Sachse, TX.
Funeral services are 1:00 Saturday, December 27, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Silsbee with visitation from 11:00 am until time of service at the church.
