(From Clark Funeral Home)Mary Elizabeth (Cummins) Deffenbaugh was born December 11, 1936, on the family farm on Shoal Creek in eastern Newton County. She was the second child born to Irl C and Nettie (Brown) Cummins. Mary graduated from Midway High School in 1954, graduating Valedictorian.
Bob Hawkins baptized her in the old white frame Jefferson St. Church of Christ in Neosho. She attended Southwest Missouri State in Springfield.
She began dating Don Deffenbaugh during their junior year of high school. The two were married on May 27, 1956, at the Stark City Church of Christ, with Bobby Key officiating. To this union were born four children.
Mary taught for a few years in the Midway Elementary chSool, substitute taught, and served in the PTA in the Neosho school system. She served as the church secretary for the Hillcrest Church of Christ for 16 years and addressed and mailed the 4-State Gospel News for many years. She worked as a Wal-Mart associate for 25 years.
Mary taught for a few years in the Midway Elementary chSool, substitute taught, and served in the PTA in the Neosho school system. She served as the church secretary for the Hillcrest Church of Christ for 16 years and addressed and mailed the 4-State Gospel News for many years. She worked as a Wal-Mart associate for 25 years.
Besides this work, Mary proudly supported Don and his work as a local evangelist for congregations in Cassville, Neosho, Joplin, Bona, and Monett, Missouri, and taught Bible classes into her 80s. She was a great admirer of all gospel preachers. The front pages of many of her Bibles are filled with the signatures of gospel preachers she heard at various gospel meetings and lectureships through the years.
Her family was most important to her. Her children attribute to their mother having learned about God and His great love and the great gift of His Son. They fondly remember Bible stories and kind instruction in God’s word. She also taught her children to work and serve others.
Mary enjoyed walking, quilting, and gardening (including weed eating—no kidding). She was a fervent St Louis Cardinals fan and a lover of puzzles and games of all kinds. Mary was an excellent cook and shared her kitchen skills with her daughters and daughters-in-law.
Her parents, her brother Frank Cummins, and sister Carolyn Cummins preceded her death.
Her family was most important to her. Her children attribute to their mother having learned about God and His great love and the great gift of His Son. They fondly remember Bible stories and kind instruction in God’s word. She also taught her children to work and serve others.
Mary enjoyed walking, quilting, and gardening (including weed eating—no kidding). She was a fervent St Louis Cardinals fan and a lover of puzzles and games of all kinds. Mary was an excellent cook and shared her kitchen skills with her daughters and daughters-in-law.
Her parents, her brother Frank Cummins, and sister Carolyn Cummins preceded her death.
She is survived by her husband, Don, of the home; son John and wife Kristie of Neosho, daughter Sherra and husband Murray Riley of Benton, KY; son David and wife Tanya of Paragould, AR, and daughter Carla and husband Tim Murray of Neosho; fourteen grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of dearly loved friends.
A funeral service under the direction of the Clark Funeral Home in Neosho, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho, Missouri, with Dalton Key and Bob Deffenbaugh officiating. Burial will follow at the Newtonia IOOF Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2022, at the Hillcrest Church of Christ.
Mary greatly loved the Neosho Christian Schools. She would be honored by any donations made to the school in her name.
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