Mary Lord Cloar of Dyersburg passed away Thursday February 1 at the age of 81 after battling years of declining health. Mary was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 24, 1942. She was the daughter of Hartley and Emalene Lord. She grew up in Wellesley Hills Massachusetts where she graduated from Dana Hall. After high school she went on to graduate from Centenary University in Hackettstown New Jersey.

She married William C Cloar of Dyersburg on August 4, 1962, In Wellesley, Massachusetts with a reception that followed at the Wellesley Country Club. After the wedding she moved to Dyersburg, Tennessee where her husband was Employed at Dyersburg Fabrics.

Mary and Bill had two sons John and Robert. She was a loving wife and mother and was involved in many activities raising her boys. She was involved with the PTA and Cub Scouts when they were younger.

Mary was an excellent singer and very much enjoyed singing for others when she could. In the 1970's she was an active member of the Dyersburg Little Theatre group where she sang in many musical productions including Brigadoon and Oklahoma. She was also a long-time member of the choir at First Baptist Church. She very much enjoyed hosting the annual dinner for the choir after their Christmas cantata. She would often say about people doing good for others " I'd rather see a good sermon than hear one".

Outside of family Mary had several things she greatly enjoyed. She and Bill both very much enjoyed trips to Kennebunk Maine. Her father's family had been long time residents of the community since the early 1800s. When her father passed some years ago there was a speaking series in his honor. One of the first speakers was former President George HW Bush.  She loved spending time at the family cottage on Lord's Point which was named for a family ancestor who at one time had owned the whole point. She loved the saying " Maine, the way life should be".

She also loved to travel, especially to London England. She was a great fan of the Royal family and especially Queen Elizabeth. As a young girl she had written the queen and was very excited to receive a reply from one of her ladies in waiting. She traveled there many times and was always excited to get her annual Christmas Card from her friend Raco who was the doorman at the Ritz Carlton in London.

She very much loved to entertain and hosted events for friends and others over the years. Her neighborhood Christmas party was an event looked forward to by many.  While she loved to entertain, she also had one favorite saying about a party which her friend's will remember she had printed on her napkins " I only have two hours of fun in me a night! ".

She had legendary yard sales with her friends which she presided over with her magic wand. The wand was needed for pronouncing the half off and other price cuts that occurred as the day progressed. Many who attended them will also remember her favorite dishcloths. She handed them out for all her life. A product of Dyersburg Fabrics and then Trenton Mills she gladly proclaimed them the finest dishcloths ever and gave one to anyone she got within arm's reach.

She is survived by her husband Bill Cloar, two sons John Cloar and wife Sue Ann of Dyersburg, Robert Cloar and wife Lisbeth of Navarre Florida. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren to whom she was Granny. Katherine, Rebecca, Ben, Aria and Edward Cloar (John and Sue Ann parents) also Holly Cloar, Caroline and Virginia Williams (Robert and Lisbeth parents). She is also survived by her sister Cindi Ardizzone and husband Pat of Windham, New Hampshire

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dyersburg, conducted by Rev. Josh Stone.  Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until services begin and interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg.