Mary Ellen Mertens Lloyd, 98, died peacefully in her home in Hazen on November 1, 2018. A lifelong resident of Prairie County, Mary Ellen was married for 68 years to the late F.M. “Buddy” Lloyd, a Prairie county farmer and World War II Navy Seabee.
She was born July 16, 1920 in the Peppers Lake community to George and Amy Beeler Mertens. Known by the nickname “Mac”, Mary Ellen was a graduate of De Valls Bluff High School, a lifelong Methodist and a homemaker. She enjoyed traveling to places like New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada and was an avid crossword puzzler, canasta player and Skip-Bo master.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her sister, Dixie Bowers and brother, Hugh “Buddy” Mertens. She is survived by brothers, George “Dutch” Mertens of Arkadelphia and Don Mertens (Linda) of De Valls Bluff, and daughters, Lana Dodson (Garnett) of Hazen and Judy Landers (Win) of McKinney, Texas. Other survivors include grandchildren Tracy Maple (Scott) of Wye; Bret Dickie (Carolyn) of McKinney, Texas; and Kari Sayger (Troy) of Hazen; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the Hazen First United Methodist Church. Services will follow immediately at the church. Burial will be at Peppers Lake Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank Baptist Hospice and Mary Ellen’s special caregiver, Sandra Kay Penn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hazen First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 712, Hazen, Ar. 72064 or to Peppers Lake Cemetery care of Peggy Murphy, 4431 Knauff Road, De Valls Bluff, Ar. 72041.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. She was loved by so many and always loved to visit with family. Sandy & Tim Davis
As a remarkable lady in many ways, Mrs. Lloyd left a legacy that will be cherished dearly by all who knew her. She saw much of world history unfold before her eyes. Born during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, she lived through the times of 18 Presidents. She saw firsthand the “good times” and “hard times” that our nation has gone through.
As a teenager, I had the privilege of working with Mr. Buddy a few times when he would help my Dad in some construction projects on a part-time
basis. Being an amateur historian, I listened intently to the fascinating stories Mr. Buddy told of WWII action from an individual military serviceman’s viewpoint. And I had the privilege of being a school classmate of Judy’s at Hazen. And I became acquainted with Lana and Garnett when I taught school at DeValls Bluff back in the 1970’s. The Lloyd family was what we Southerners call “good people.” And Mrs. Lloyd was the matriarch of that good family, a family that has contributed much to our community.
Our thoughts and prayers continue for the family. May God’s Word and His Holy Spirit (the “Comforter”) provide strength, comfort, and assurance. With sympathy, Billy and Gail Booth