Mary Ann Malone, age 90, of Sikeston, passed away into Jesus' arms, Wednesday, August 28, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at the Delta South Nursing Center in Sikeston.

Mary Ann was born June 19, 1934, at East Prairie, MO, to the late Webb Kenneth DeField and Roxie Lee Majors DeField. The 1952 Valedictorian of the East Prairie High School graduating class, she attended college for a short time before eloping with the love of her life, Edwin J. "Buddy" Malone, marrying in Hernando, MS.

She worked in the insurance field until she began her first battle against cancer. At this point, she made the brave decision to join two of her children in college and would achieve her B.S. in Business Administration, going on to become a Certified Public Accountant. She was able to do all of this while taking on the many challenges that came with cancer, both mental and physical, and winning.

Mary Ann was a very positive, generous and selfless mother and grandmother, always putting others needs ahead of her own.  Her favorite things were family gatherings, whether holiday events or school and sporting events that surrounded her with family that she so loved.  She also loved spending time with close friends at the YMCA where she enjoyed mostly socializing more than exercising.

Mary Ann was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church where at different times she volunteered as pianist or treasurer of the church.  She was also a member of the Altrusa Club of Sikeston where she had many dear friends.

She and Buddy had three children they adored. He preceded her in death on February 24, 1984.

Mary Ann is survived by their children, Judy (Jim) Armstrong, Steve (Marian) Malone and Karen (Gary) Silverthorn, all of Sikeston; her grandchildren, Carly, Sara, Jimmy, Elizabeth, Fleming and Paige; her great grandchildren, Gwyneth, Joseph, Victoria, Wyatt, Molly, Maggie, Anna Kate, Witton and Roxie; also, nieces and nephews she loved dearly as well as cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Joyce DeField Sadler and her grandson, Benny Lefler.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston.   Rev. Jennifer Moxley, pastor, and JT Thomason, chaplain with VNA Hospice, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery at Sikeston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, plants and gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, First United Methodist Church of Sikeston or to the YMCA of Sikeston.