Mary Martin Carlisle

Mary Martin Carlisle, 72, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on December 12, 2024.

A Celebration of Mary's life will be held at Highland Baptist Church on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM with the Dr. David Hopkins and Mrs. Abby Calhoun officiating. The family will receive guests from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home and on Monday, December 16, 2024, from 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM at the church prior to the service.

Mary was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend. Raised in Cato, Mississippi, she was the oldest of five girls - edging out her twin sister by seven minutes. Growing up on the family farm, she learned the value of hard work, ingenuity, and commitment to family. Like her Daddy, Mary was a person of few words who was always thinking of the next idea. And like her Mother, one of her greatest gifts was creating a beautiful and loving home for her family; a home where a multitude of friends were welcomed and the door was always open.

Mary graduated from Mendenhall High School in 1970 where she was the Student Body President. She earned a BS and MS at Mississippi State University where she played saxophone in the Famous Maroon Band. She met Quinn Carlisle during her Junior year and - at least for Quinn - it was love at first sight. Quinn's mother often said "wild horses couldn't drag Quinn away" from Starkville after he met Mary.

Quinn and Mary married in 1977, welcomed Elizabeth in 1979, and welcomed Suzanne in 1982. They made their life and raised their children in Meridian. Mary eventually welcomed two sons-in-law to the family - both named David. And most importantly, she was Mimi to Mary Frances and Martha Kate - her "sweet little angels" for whom the word "no" seemed to disappear from Mary's vocabulary. She never missed an opportunity to support them or to buy them a "prize" from Dirt Cheap.

Mary joined Highland Baptist Church not long after moving to Meridian and was an active member for 50 years. She was the church clerk, volunteered in the children's and youth ministries, directed countless weddings, participated in mission work, and she and Quinn cooked Wednesday night supper for many years. Mary loved serving her church wherever there was an opportunity to do so. Her Highland family was as precious to Mary as her own family.

Mary's entire professional life was dedicated to education. She was in her element in the classroom, and she was a gifted math teacher. Most of her former students likely do not use the Pythagorean theorem in their daily lives, but there is no doubt they rely on the problem solving skills she so aptly taught and the self confidence she instilled in struggling students. Teaching was so personally rewarding to her that - even in retirement - Mary continued to teach math through ACT prep, substitute teaching, and tutoring.

Mary suffered a grand mal seizure in October 2021, and she was ultimately diagnosed with glioblastoma. She was treated at MD Anderson, Meridian Oncology, and UAB. Quinn was by her side every step of the way and cared for Mary when she could no longer care for herself. Quinn, Elizabeth, and Suzanne could not be more thankful for the care and love she received from her medical team and from the numerous friends and family members who so faithfully walked by her side during her illness.

Mary is survived by her husband, Quinn, daughters Elizabeth (David) White and Suzanne (David) Hudson, and granddaughters Mary Frances White and Martha Kate White. She is also survived by her mother, Billie Jean Martin, sisters Martha (Vic) Bowman, Sara (David) Morrow, Ruth (Art) Prestage, and Naomi (Jeff) Williams, brother-in-law Carl (Diana) Carlisle, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, James Martin, and her parents-in-law, John and Dorothy Carlisle.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Mary be made to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center or to the mission fund at Highland Baptist Church in Meridian, MS.

Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.