Mary Leota Gipson
Mary Leota Gipson, Fordland, was born January 17, 1936, to Bill and Mae (Criger) Hensley. She departed this life Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in the home surrounded by family at the age of 90 years.
Mary worked at General Mills for two years. She was a seamstress at Hagel Industries and Endless Summer for thirty-five years combined. She was a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell for five years. Mary moved back to Fordland in 1978 and lived there until 2023 before moving to Ridgedale to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Mary loved going camping with family and fishing at the lake. She enjoyed cooking for family. She spent a lot of time gardening and canning. She loved sewing. She was very selfless, always thinking and doing for others. She was of the Baptist faith and was baptized at a young age. She is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Gipson; her son, Roy Gipson; her brothers, Loye Hensley, Alvin Hensley, and Ross Hensley.
She is survived by her daughter, Phyllis and Craig Cottle of Ridgedale, Missouri; her brother, Richard and Ellen Hensley of Fordland; two grandchildren, Martha Crichton of Niangua, Clayton and Anna Cottle of Highlandville; three great grandchildren, Trinity Crichton of Sullivan, Rainee Cottle and Canyon Cottle; one great great grandchild, Wayne Rowden.
Funeral services will be Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., in the chapel of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield. Interment will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc.
Visitation will be before services Sunday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove Cemetery and left in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO 65706.