Mary Silkwood

Mary Lou Silkwood, 81, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2015, at Cedargate Care Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mary was born July 31, 1933 in Harviell to the late Winfred and Beulah (Drake) Felts. She was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and was a member of First Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Bible Learners Sunday School class. Mary read her bible daily as long as she was able, and was a witness to her faith by the way she led her life and by her treatment of others. Mary began her working career at Bank of Poplar Bluff and later retired from Poplar Bluff High School as secretary to the principal after many years of service.

After meeting Ed Silkwood and falling in love through their long distance correspondence, they were married on March 3, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Mary was a loving mother to her children, Blake and Tracey and the perfect grandma when her two grandchildren, Colin and Derek arrived.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, Ed Silkwood of Poplar Bluff; son, Blake Silkwood and wife, Laura of Milan, Ohio; grandsons, Colin and Derek Silkwood; and sister, Wauneita Keller of Bonne Terre, Mo.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Tracey Silkwood Walker, sisters, Ruth Tolleson and Jane McGuire and brothers, Carl Felts and Don Felts.

The visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. Dr. William Vail will officiate. Burial will be in the Woodlawn section of the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 551 North Westwood, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.