Mary Ellen Brown Leslie, 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 14, 2014.

She was born March 23, 1923, in Bingen, Arkansas, to C. M. and Tura (Gilliam) Brown. She married Charles Clinton Leslie on October 31, 1942 in Bingen, Arkansas and had three children; Floy Ann, David Clinton, and Terry Randal.

Mary's faith was always very important to her. She was involved in the Baptist churches of Magnolia and Stamps and most recently Shiloh Baptist Church in Texarkana. Leading the young peoples groups and singing in various small groups was where you'd find her in the early years. She and Clint's home was often filled with young people from the church gathered around the piano and singing. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cross stitch, canning, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She was quick to learn how to use her computer to keep up with the family in other states and to discover and write the genealogy on both sides of the family.

She lost her husband Clint to cancer in 1975. Mary was devastated by the loss, but was determined to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She went to school and got her nursing degree at Red River Technical College in Hope, Arkansas, in 1977 at the age 54. She graduated top of her class and then worked at Magnolia Hospital for 15 years, spending the majority of her career in the O.B ward. Mary was always a loving caregiver, first to her mother, then her husband, and finally to her brother Terry.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her four siblings and her husband. She is survived by Floy Ann (Don) Rockwell of Lincoln, Nebraska; David Clinton (Marcell) Leslie of Texarkana, Arkansas; and Terry Randal (Barbara) Leslie of Pocatella, Idaho. Grandchildren John (Karla) Rockwell, Donna Rockwell (Steve) Skalak, Angela Leslie, Clinton Leslie, John Leslie, and Christopher Leslie (Amy Tollison), great-grandchildren Brandy Mason, Daykin Schnell, Veronica Schnell, Jada Skalak and Makenna Leslie; four great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2014 at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Texarkana with Bro. Todd Reed officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Ozan cemetery near Nashville, Arkansas under the direction of A.O. Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday, March 21, 2014 from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.