February 3, 1930  –  October 5, 2023

TUPELO – An amazing woman and matriarch of the Walden/Smith families realized the promises of her faith and met her Creator from North Miss. Medical Center in Tupelo on Thursday, Oct 5, 2023. She was 93 years old. Mary Lou was the youngest of five children born in Tremont, Mississippi, Itawamba County on Feb. 3, 1930, to the late Ellie Lee Smith and Callie Webb Smith. Mary Lou graduated from Mooreville High School in 1948 and was a member of the first graduating class of Itawamba Junior College. She married Fred Walden on March 15, 1952. He died on Oct. 10, 1973, almost 50 years before her. She lived much of her adult life in Skyline before moving to Tupelo about 20 years ago. A strong, independent lady who lived a purpose filled and unique life, Mary Lou, along with Jane Christian, were the proud owners and operators of Possum Trot Fabrics, a hallmark in the Skyline Community for over 30 years. A born salesperson with a great sense of humor and character, she had grateful customers from near and far who looked to her for their fabric and sewing needs. Mary Lou enjoyed sewing and cooking, family gatherings, being with her children and grandchildren and attending East Main Church of Christ before her health began to decline. Her yard was always perfect whether she tended it herself or “supervised” those who did it in her advancing years.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM Monday, October 9, 2023 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Minister Doug Smith officiating. Private family burial will follow in the Gilvo Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 PM – 5 PM Sunday, October 8 and from 10 AM-service time on Monday. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming.

Survivors include her children, Steve Walden and wife, Kathy of Tupelo, Scott Walden and wife, Kristie of Birmingham, Ala, Lynne Palmeiro and husband, Rafael of Texas, and LuAnne Funderburk and husband, Paul of Tupelo; her grandchildren, Rob Walden (Jordan), Ross Walden (Kaitlin), Patrick Palmeiro (Bree), Taylor Walden, Riley Walden, Preston Palmeiro (Amber), Cannon Funderburk, Rachel Barrantes (Christopher), Wesley Funderburk, and Clayton Cox; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Walden and Brody Palmeiro; her living nieces and nephews, Carolyn Harris, Martha Tubb, Lee Thomas Burch, Kelby Smith, and Carney Walden and all their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Fred, her son Mike, her sister, Olean Burch, and her three brothers, Omer Smith, Julian Smith, and James Lee Smith.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105 or Pinevale Children’s Home, 1872 CR 700, No. 1-A, Corinth, MS 38834. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Meadows, Fulton, MS, for their care of our mother, special thanks to staff of the NMMC and the intensive care unit and for all those who visited her in her later years.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.