Mary Elizabeth Shannon, daughter of the late Lyle and Fern (Smith) Shannon, was born April 16, 1960, in Cabool, and went home May 10, 2020, at her residence in Mountain Grove. She was 60 years and 24 days of age.
Mary was a loving, unique, one of a kind mom, who loved her children and would do anything for them. She was a “Mom” to many. She could be gone to for anything and everything, she knew no stranger and would give the shirt off her back. Mary was also known to have a very caring heart and was always putting other’s needs before her own. She worried about others and looked for ways to help. She was always thinking about others and willing to help in whatever way possible. She was also known to speak what was on her mind. She told it how it was, and was not afraid to speak up. Mary always kept a clean, tidy home. It was always a warm and positive environment there. She loved having company, especially her kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She had a knack and enjoyed decorating; she could turn a shack into a mansion. Mary was very creative, crafty and inventive. She could creatively repurpose things and could always turn one man’s trash into another man’s treasure. She had a green thumb and also enjoyed reading and drawing and had very neat handwriting. Mary had the opportunity to travel throughout her life, calling home to a variety of different states making friends and establishing long-lasting relationships with friends she considered family. Mary was so proud of her kids and lived every moment for them. She was the best “Granny” ever! She cherished the moments spent visiting and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mary loved watching and hearing about her grandchildren plays sports. She had a great passion for sports and loved football, basketball and NASCAR. When asked why she loved the Pittsburgh Steelers so much, since she wasn’t from Pennsylvania, she said, “I like the color of their jerseys.” As for NASCAR, she loved her Jeff Gordon and the Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt. Mary rooted for the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals basketball teams which is another big reason why the family oddly bleeds red and blue together. She loved the Mountain Grove Panthers and the Cabool Bulldogs. In the fall she always listened to the “Friday Night Lights” on her radio. It is for this reason that instead of flowers the family would appreciate donations be made to the Mountain Grove Panther’s Sports Booster Club or The Cabool Bulldogs Sports Booster Club in her memory. Mary’s Aunt Shirley was a very special person to her. They will meet again along with her momma, daddy and brother, Dave.
Mary is survived by one son, James “JD” Byers and wife, Theresa, of Aldie, Va.; three daughters, Summer Cain, of Cabool; Amber Amundson and husband, Dale, of Mountain Grove; and Brittany Byers, of Flaherty, Ky.; two sisters, April Shannon, of Drury, and Lisa Shannon, of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Trustin Amundson, Jaydan Amundson, Jaylen Byers, Maya Cain, Celie Cain, Harper Byers and Lucas Cain; three great-grandchildren, Aylah Sears, Daphne Neuroth, Coleman Amundson and one on the way; and many other family members and friends who will miss her deeply. “2-4 who are you rooting for?” “You can’t let one bad moment spoil a bunch of good ones.” Dale Earnhardt.
Memorial services for Mary Shannon were held Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Vanzant Community Building. Burial was in Vanzant Cemetery. Cremation was under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to Panther or Bulldog Sports Boosters. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
