Mary J. Teague was born in Proctor, Arkansas, to George Anna Pruitt and George Bedford, Sr., but was raised by her father, Bishop Willie Pruitte. 

Mary spent part of her young life working in cotton fields and working as a nanny on the weekends. She was the first born of 16 children; therefore, she helped her mother and father raise her 15 brothers and sisters with the money she earned and many times she went without so they could have. Mary had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone who asked. She never turned her back on anyone, even the ones who did her wrong. She would always say, "Dont worry, God got them," but she also told it like it was and didnt care if you liked it or not. She didnt bite her tongue and spoke her mind. 

She loved her whold family and was always glad to see them when they would come to visit her. She had an unbreakable bond with her mother, George Anna, and her sister Paulette. 

She was a true believer in the Lord and believed he could bring you through anything. She had that mustard seed faith the Bible speaks of and always encouraged her children and everyone she came in contact with, to have that faith. 

Mary was baptized at an early age and was a member of True Vine Church of Christ Divine, under Bishop Freddie Covington, and she loved listening to Elder Pruitte preach, as well. She also loved to hear her brother, Bishop Bennie Pruitte preach. she was so proud of her little brothers. She loved going to church and giving her testimony of what the Lord had done for her. She loved fellowshipping with the saints. 

Mary departed this life on March 3, 2021 at St Francis Medical Center

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Lolita (Steven) Houston, Leona Reynolds, Patricia Reynolds, Vanessa Richards, Latrice Johnson and Jermaine Collier of Cairo IL. Samella (KeyVaire) Teague-Childress of Tamms IL, William Reynolds of Chester, IL. Thomas (Carlie)Norfleet and Jimmie (Wilicia)Norfleet of Cape Girardeau, MO. Three Sisters: Rose (James) Lawrence of Belleville, IL. Vanessa (Terry) Lawrence of Jonesboro, AR, and Irene (Mark) Jones of Cairo, IL ; eight brothers; Jimmie (Betty)Bedford and James (Regina)Pruitte of Joliet IL Terry (Katilya)Pruitt of Nashville, TN, Bennie (Desara)Pruitt and Jerry (Tamara)Pruitt of Jonesboro, AR, Charles (Ferlinda)Pruitt of Decatur IL and Johnny (Deborah) Pruitt of Cairo IL and Leroy Wright of West Haven MS; granchildren: Wy'Mane (Alexandria), Odell (Adrianna), Tichinia, William III, Stevieon, Tre'Von, Alterrence, Jabiana, Jemar, Jermani, Montanna, Lemont and Lamontez; great-grandchildren Wy'Mane Jr., Odell VI, Adell, Xamien, Zanity, Treyand Adrian. 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents: George Anna and Bennie Pruitt and George Bedford, Sr.; a sister: Paulette Hayes; four brothers George Bedford Jr., Willie Bedford,Sr., Henry Bedford,Sr., and Robbie Pruitt Sr., an aunt Mary Williams, Grandmother; Mary Jackson; grandaughters Taniqua and Laniqua Houston; a great-grandson Odell Brown V and best friends Henrietta Porter, Walter Richard, and Eric Robinson.