Mary Jean Reddick

Click Here to view Mary's Funeral Service

Mary Jean Richardson was born in Walnut Grove, Mississippi on April 30, 1929, to Geneva and Bill Richardson.  She has one sister, Billie Lynn, who was born in 1925.  The family moved to Schlater, MS for a short time before relocating to Louisville, MS in 1932.  It was there that Mary Jean began school and graduated from high school in 1947.

They grew up during the Great Depression.  Although times were hard, they survived in a loving family.

She attended East Central Junior College in Decatur, MS and then went on to Blue Mountain College.  She graduated in 1950 with a B.A. Degree in English.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for educators.  She was also a member of the Eastern Star.

Mary Jean taught in Mississippi for five years before moving to Florida. She was accompanied by her aunt, uncle, and cousin, who were all teachers.  At that time, the pay was better in Florida, so they settled in Avon Park in 1955.

During her first year as an English teacher at Avon Park Junior High School, she was assigned bus duty.  While monitoring students, she met one of the bus drivers, Devon Reddick.  He was a recent widower with two children.  They were married a year later, on March 28, 1956.

In July 1956, Mary Jean joined the Methodist Church, where Devon had been a member since 1931.

She taught school in Avon Park for eighteen years.  After retiring, she and Devon spent five months every year in their summer home in Franklin, North Carolina where they attended Oak Grove Baptist Church.  Devon died on August 23, 2000 in Franklin.  Mary Jean continued to spend the summers in North Carolina for a few years before selling the summer home.

After returning to Avon Park, she started working part-time at Ridge Florist.  She began attending Florida Avenue Baptist Church where she had many friends.  She loved gospel music and went to concerts as often as she could.

Mary Jean has always kept up with the many students she taught.  She loved attending high school reunions and often looked through old school yearbooks with fond memories.  She will be missed.

Mary Jean is survived by her sister, Billie Lynn Arthur in Clinton, MS;  a nephew, Bill Arthur in Brandon, MS;  her daughter, Devorah Hollinger and  husband, Charles in Palm Bay, FL;  Grandchildren:  Randy Reddick and wife, Carol in Kingston, TN; Matt Valentine and wife, Tara in Clearwater, FL;   Dara Williams in St. Augustine, FL; and Jennifer Reddick in Tampa, FL.  She also had nine great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

Funeral services will be held at Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Avon Park, FL on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 10:00 AM, with a viewing beginning at 9:30 AM.  Burial will follow in Bougainvillea Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Florida Avenue Baptist Church, 710 West Bell St., Avon Park, FL 33825.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
111 E. Circle St.
Avon Park, FL  33825
(863) 453-3101
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com