Mary Marie Collett Napier of Essie, Kentucky was born February 05, 1930 in Essie, Kentucky to the union of the late John L. and Phronia Morgan Collett. Mary had been a life-long resident of Leslie County. She was united in marriage to Howard Napier on July 11, 1949 in Harlan, Kentucky. Mary was a member of the Essie Christian Missionary Alliance, Essie, Kentucky. However, in her early years, being the daughter of a Baptist preacher (John L. Collett), her home church was the old Bowen’s Creek Baptist Church at Essie, Kentucky.
Mary graduated at the age of 16. She went on to further her education at Lee’s Junior College and started teaching by the age of 18 on a provisional certificate. She later went on to obtain her bachelors of arts at the Eastern Kentucky University.
She began her teacher career in a one room school where she taught K-8 for many years before moving to the Stinnett Elementary School. There, she taught first and second grade until her retirement in 1980. Mary continued to substitute teach for nearly ten years after her retirement.
Mary enjoyed cross word puzzles and putting puzzles together. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and also enjoyed knitting. Above all, Mary’s greatest joy came from the time spent with her beloved children and grandchildren. She was a gentle soul and loved life to the fullest. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Mary departed from this life on Thursday, January 02, 2020 in Pikeville, Kentucky. Mary was 89 years old.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Howard Napier; one son, Ronnie Edgar Napier, one daughter, Faye Etta Napier Kerr; one cherished grandson, Ritchie Napier; three brothers, Eugene, Vernon "Tub" and Rev. Sheldon Collett; one sister, Gladys Morgan.
Mary leaves being one loving and devoted daughter, Connie Napier (Leon) of Essie, KY; one brother, Elias Collett (Virgie) of Roark, KY, two sisters, Helen Sizemore of Stinnett, KY and Loretta Begley (Cotton) of Avawam, KY, daughter-in-law, Debbie Collins Napier of London, KY, granddaughter-in-law, Eugena Stewart Napier of Hyden, KY, six cherished grandchildren, Ryan Culler (Kristy), Roneé Etta Simpson (Chris), Marianne Simpson (Jason), Samantha Leanne Wilson (Brandon), Brittany Gross (Chris), and Ethan Howard Adams (Stacy); fourteen cherished great grandchildren, Keira Nichole, Riley Leon, Natalie Grace
Funeral: 1:00 PM - Monday at Wolfe & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with Jason Roberts and Roger Wolfe officiating. Obituary by Josh Dreher
Interment: Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Southeast - Hyden, KY
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM - Sunday at the funeral home chapel.
