Mary Alice Stephens, 59

 

Mary Alice Stephens, 59, of West Plains, formerly of Ozark County, died Sept. 10, 2021, in West Plains with her family by her side. The family will honor Mary Alice with a memorial motorcycle ride beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Twin Bridges and ending with a celebration of her life at 1:30 p.m. at Patrick Bridge on H Highway. 

She was born March 19, 1962, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the only daughter of Nettie Sue Hogan and the oldest daughter of James Lee Whisnant. She spent the first six years of her life with her favorite cousin, Timmy, getting into all types of mischief, even trying to barter one cousin for a cookie. Her family later moved to Missouri, where she spent the remainder of her life doing everything from stomping through Pine Holler to becoming the beloved smile many children saw as she played the role of “Cookie Lady” at Town & Country Supermarket.

She will be missed but never forgotten by those who knew her. She will be remembered for how she would encourage them to be forever strong.

She is survived by her son, Johnathan Whisnant, and his two daughters, Erika Lynn and Caitlyn Rose; and her daughter Summer Stephens (and Darrell Berry), and their son, Kenneth James, and her daughter Ashley Lawson and her children Shyanna, Rachel, Jace and Bella; her sister, Jeanne Whisnant and family; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom she loved with open arms and widely accepted as her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Jimmy Whisnant; and all of her grandparents.

Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423