Mary Thrasher

“I believe if you think about it, you will see that I am right.” Having lived a full life over the last 99 years, Mary Lorene Thrasher had more than a little insight worth sharing. And now that we think about it, we admit that she was, in fact, generally right. Her wisdom is but one of many things that will be sorely missed.

Mrs. Thrasher died March 10, 2017, surrounded by her family. Born August 11, 1917, in Pickens County, Alabama, to Nolan and Annie Pearl Hughes Pridmore, she married Robert Patton Thrasher, Sr. Together they made their home in the New Hope community of Columbus, Mississippi, where, by all accounts, she was the proverbial wife, raising six children, who would later give her 71 grandchildren.

Mrs. Thrasher attributed her longevity to “good, clean, hard living. I didn’t dip, chew, smoke, or cuss.” She worked hard, loved harder and enjoyed more than a few laughs in between. In addition to raising a family and farming the land to help provide for them, she worked at Seminole and Beneke in Columbus and later at New Hope school, where she was known for making the best rolls the cafeteria had ever seen (and perhaps slipping extras to her favorites).

From showing others how to can green beans produced in her garden, holding a quilting class at Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church (where she was an active member for many years), or divulging secrets on how to make the perfect icing for her famous coconut cake, Mrs. Thrasher was a teacher at heart. A natural conversationalist with quick wit and a keen sense of humor, she could roll out biscuits or fried apples pies while simultaneously curing the ills of the world from her kitchen table, and, while not one to mince her words, her oft-shared godly wisdom was always paired with relentless love.

Being the matriarch of six generations was not a responsibility Mrs. Thrasher took lightly—she remembered each and every birthday, favorite meals and hobbies, shared pastimes and life’s milestones. Her door was always open (and often revolving) to guests, and when she wasn’t visiting or off on an adventure, she was likely on the phone, checking in and staying in touch. Whether she answered to someone by Lorene, Momma, Grandmamma, Mamaw, “Miz” Thrasher, Aunt Rene, sister, or friend (likely calling them all “honey” in return), she had a gift for making each of her family members and friends feel special and uniquely loved.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Thrasher is now reunited with her brother, Preston Pridmore; grandchildren Ann House, Pat Gore, and J.J. Whitten; and sons-in-law Junior Parker, Ray Gildon and Edward Whitten. She is survived by her children Nealie Gildon, Buddy (Glenda) Thrasher, Shirley Nance, Lanada (Ron) Marcinko, Angie Whitten, and Tammie (Darrell) Burgess; brother Hubert (Mary Charles) Pridmore; sisters Ruth Ponds and Atlas Boyer; grandchildren Pam (Jimmy) Galloway, Marshall (Katie) Thrasher, Bobby (Lanette) Thrasher, Debra Hampton, Mike (Delisa) Parker, Theresa (James) Evans, Melissa Harmon, Ronnie (Jane) Marcinko, Christy (Ernie) Hill, Patton (Christy) Whitten, Salethia (Chris) Holifield, and Drew (Ashley) Whitten; 29 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home, and services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Lee officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

A true embodiment of what it means to have a servant’s heart, Mrs. Thrasher recently lamented that she was no longer physically able to help those in need. “You’ve done your time. It’s our turn, now,” she was told in response. The torch has been passed; may her spirit of giving shine on in all who knew her.

''Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:21

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