Mary L. Mattox's Obituary
Decatur – Mary L. Mattox, 71, of Decatur, passed away at 5:30 pm Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
The dance is over but the memory lingers on, and Mary must leave her lifetime partner and join the arms of her Heavenly Father.
Memorial services celebrating Mary’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be sent to the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Mary was born on December 20, 1937 in Pontiac, Michigan, the daughter of Roy and Loretta (Courtaway) Crenshaw. She married Paul G. Mattox on September 22, 1961 in Mattoon.
Paul had a background of teaching dancing in commercial studios, and doing professional shows. So Paul and Mary with her natural ability and love of dancing joined forces and owned and operated The Arthur Murray Studio in Decatur-and made this their home in 1962.
After closing The Arthur Murray Studio in 1964 – Paul and Mary continued their love of dancing – They did shows at the Macon County Light Company. They taught in many places including Richland Community College and The Fraternal Moose Lodge 694 of Decatur.
Mary at the age of 48 received her Associate Degree in applied science in data processing, and graduated with top honors at the top of her class on the twentieth day of December, nineteen hundred and eighty-five from Richland Community College.
Mary is survived by her husband of 48 years: Paul, one son: Tyler Mattox of Lincoln, one daughter: Kim (John) Szczerba of Metamora, one brother: Roy Crenshaw of Effingham.
She was reunited in heaven with her parents and one son.
Prior to passing, the family would like to extend an note of gratitude to the medical professionals that cared for Mary. Those include Dr. Edwards Talley – with Wabash Out Patient Hospital, Dr. Ajay Verma and Dr. Carol Cohen-Decatur Memorial Heart and Lung Insitute, and Dr. Benjamin T. Esparaz- Cancer Care Specialists, and a special thank you to the many helping hands at all hours to those associated with hospice.
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