Mary R. Shutts' Obituary
SHUTTS, Mary R., age 95, of Lebanon, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Ohio Living Quaker Heights in Waynesville.
Mary was a devoted member of New Freedom Church in Lebanon. Always supportive and actively involved in church, she taught Sunday School for several years and assisted with the food pantry, the Kingdom Kitchen program, bake sales, and other church-sponsored outreach programs.
In addition to being loving, giving, caring, resolute, and very friendly, she had a motherly and nurturing personality that extended to family, friends, and strangers alike. She had a soft heart toward those who were underprivileged and always found the good in people. Referred to as “Mamma” within the church, she was a natural role model and encourager, which ultimately caused people to be drawn to her. In addition, Mary always had a spiritual song ready to sing, which never seemed to be out of tune, even though she whipped them out on a spur of the moment’s notice.
Her favorite hobby was fishing, which she enjoyed in the creeks while growing up and within ponds and lakes during her adult life. Whether by boat or on the bank, she took every opportunity to cast a line in the water, especially when accompanied by friends and family. Humorously, however, even though Mary’s husband always supported her by tagging along, fishing was far more of a favorite hobby for her than for Donald.
Extremely caring toward the needs of her family, Mary often showed her love for them through her love of baking. She will be especially remembered for her delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and fried egg sandwiches. In addition, it became a tradition for her to host Christmas Eve for family, and she always ensured everyone received a Christmas gift from her each year. It also became a tradition for Mary and her daughter to spend time together each Sunday at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant. She became well-regarded by the restaurant staff, and they knew when she arrived that she would always order her go-to treat - a bean burrito. Mary will also be remembered for her love of little dancing toys, some of her favorites being a dancing snowman, a dancing Santa, Sidestepping Snoopy, and her favorite dancing novelty - the Big Mouth Billy Bass, which sings and entertains on the wall. Without question, however, Mary will be remembered most for unwavering devotion regarding her relationship with Jesus and her love for her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, in 2018; two sons, Gary Igo and Jimmy Shutts; son-in-law, Ralph Mottashed; her parents, John and Bertha Marshall; one brother, Clarence Marshall; and four sisters, Jeanette Grider, twins Irene Cheeseman and Lorene Mackey, and Alla Mae Tuggle. She is survived by five children, Mark (Sharon) Davis, Steve (Teresa) Shutts, Mike (Saundra) Shutts, Linda Mottashed, and David Shutts; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Don (Linda) Marshall and John Marshall.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Sunday, July 27, at New Freedom Church in Lebanon. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday at the church with Pastor Joe Shutts (Mary's grandson) officiating. Burial will follow in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family. If desired, contributions may be made to New Freedom Church. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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