Mary Lee Hartwell passed quietly away in the presence of her family on Thursday, July 5, 2018. Mrs. Hartwell was a member of the Lone Oak Church of Christ and previously an active member of the Paducah Duchess Chapter of ABWA (serving as President), several homemakers clubs, the Lone Oak Women’s Club, a member of the Lone Oak PTA for 21 years and room mother most of those years. She was also a Girls Scout and 4-H leader and formerly taught Sunday school class of Exceptional Children. Mary Lee worked as a cosmetologist and cashier for Walgreens for over 22 years and attended school for bookkeeping. She was an active and committed member of the community. Mary Lee graduated from Lone Oak High School in 1942 and earned a letter in debate and received numerous awards for service from organizations during her lifetime. She loved traveling with her family and enjoyed England, Scotland, France, Italy, Switzerland and Mexico.
Born in Paducah, Kentucky on June 18, 1924 to Azlee Parker Richie and Herman S. Richie she was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, William Pat Richie, Carl Keith Richie, Billy Don Richie, and James Paul Richie; her son Navy Commander Charles “Mike” Hartwell, and her husband of twenty-one years, Charles “Buddy” Hartwell.
Surviving is her daughter, Dr. Kay Hartwell Hunnicutt (Mesa, Az.) and her son, Louis Ross Hartwell (Suzanne) (Phoenix, Az.); four grandchildren, Lisa Wile (Steve), David Ligon, Brittany Case (John) and Shelly Sanders (Mike); and seven great grandchildren residing in Arizona and England.
She wrote this statement as a candidate for President of the Paducah Duchess Chapter of the American Business Women’s’ Association, “Loving God, my family and fellowman helps me to greet each day with zest and peace for living.”
Visitation will take place from 1-3 pm on Sunday, July 8, with services at 3 pm at Lindsey Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Lone Oak Church of Christ or the Alzheimer’s Association in Paducah, Kentucky. The family would like to thank the staff and administrators at Parkview nursing and rehabilitation home for their exceptional, extraordinary care and kindness to our beloved mother over the past two years.
Lindsey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com.
