Mary Helen (Jones) McArthur went home to God on Thursday, June 9, 2016, at the age of 87.
She was born in Craigmont on the stroke of midnight Sept. 23, 1928. Her parents were Plennie H. Jones and Hattie S. (Presnell) Jones. She was the eldest of seven children. She attended school in Pierce and Lapwai and had to quit after the eighth grade to take care of her younger siblings.
She married Wesley H. Hunter. They had three children, Donavon H. Hunter, Bruce E. Hunter (stillborn) and Laurella J. Hunter. They divorced in 1968. On Sept. 26, 1968, she married Norman D. McArthur. They had a daughter, Marlynn M. McArthur.
Mary worked at a blister rust camp as a cook. When she lived in Stites, she took care of some of the children in town and was a barkeep until she moved to Lewiston. She then went to work at Potlatch Forests Inc. in the cafeteria as a cook. Then she went to work at Head Start as the third cook. Later, she became a homemaker. In 1969, she and Norman adopted her sister's son, Phillip Leroy Jones.
She is survived by her son, Donavon H. Hunter and his wife Chris of Stites; her daughters Laurella J. Miller and her husband Wayne of Newburg, Ore., and Marlynn M. McArthur-Dexter and her husband Lee Dexter of Lewiston; 10 grandchildren; nine-plus great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and family friends.
She was preceded in death by both husbands; her parents; all of her siblings; two sons; and a granddaughter.
A memorial will take place and will be announced later. She has been cremated. Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home has been assisting the family. Please sign the online guest book at www.malcomsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please help the family on final finances.
Condolences
kathy belieu
mary was the sweetest person, loving and caring my heart goes out to all the family and prayers for strength hugs to family
Tuesday, June 14, 2016 2:10 PM
Harriet Kalm
I will miss u aunt Mary I really miss the talks we use to have but I will always remember what u said to me I love you lots
Tuesday, June 14, 2016 12:09 PM