Mary Archeen Exum

Mary Archeen Exum, 66, of Lonsdale, Arkansas passed away Thursday, September 1, 2022. 

Graveside services will be held Friday, September 9, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Owensville Cemetery in Lonsdale, Arkansas.

Mary was born on April 16, 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Leroy and Laura Allen. She lived a full life surrounded by family and friends while accomplishing many achievements. Mary was a Veteran of the United States Army. After her service, she would work as a seamstress, chef, house cleaner, and more. Mary was an exceptional reader and poetry writer winning an award for her poems. She loved the countryside where she could pursue her passions of gardening and canning. Mary recently moved to Gardner, Kansas to be closer to loved ones as she was always adamant about being with the ones she loved. Mary lived her life to the fullest, cherishing every minute with her family and friends, sharing her joy and spunk, and always giving life all she had.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Allen. She is survived by her children: Rebecca and Billy Basden located in Beulaville, North Carolina, Christopher and Dorothy Murdock located in Gardner, Kansas and Scotty Murdock located in Whitehall, Arkansas; siblings Terry Allen located in Center Ridge, Arkansas and Xandria Neal located in Hidden Valley Lake, California; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made under the directon of CedarVale Funeral Home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Guest may register at www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com

TO BE AN EAGLE

Mary Exum

I’ve often wondered just

how it would be,

To be an Eagle,

to fly out over the sea.

There would be no pain

of a broken heart.

For everyday would be a

brand new start.

Not a care in the world to

worry about,

To be happy and live free

without a doubt

I really can’t complain

of the life God made for

me,

I just cherish the thought

to be completely free.

My life really hasn’t been

all that bad.

I’ve had happy times,

and I've had sad.

But to be an Eagle would

be a wonderful thing.

To glide around the

heavens from spring to

spring.

To be that close to God

would certainly be great.

Just think, no worries, no

problems, no sorrows,

no hate.

I know to be an Eagle is

something I’ll never be.

But I still cherish the

thought of being

completely free.