Mary Vickers

Mary Elizabeth Downs Vickers, age 87, of West Point, Mississippi, died peacefully on April 1, 2024, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi, surrounded by family.

Mary was born on July 14, 1936, in Corinth, Mississippi, to the late Lessie Dee Killough Downs and James Marshall Downs, Sr.  She spent her childhood in Corinth and graduated high school in Kossuth, Mississippi.  She married George Owen Vickers on May 7, 1964, moving from Corinth to McComb, then West Point, Mississippi, where she raised her family.   She and her boys attended Siloam Baptist Church where she was a faithful member for over 50 years.

Mary enjoyed being a homemaker and raising three boys.  She had a close and loving relationship with her daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She had a number of hobbies including, antiquing, refinishing furniture, hand stitching and machine sewing, and collecting items as varied as dolls, glassware, antique clocks, owl figurines, and buttons.  She had a love for jewelry, lamps (and they should be “on”), and proper etiquette (only chew gum in the car). 

Mary was an excellent cook, especially of wild game, and she was known for her annual Vickers’ Squirrel Supper and 4^th of July Picnic held at their beloved “camphouse”.  Mary supported George and her boys as they harvested game on their hunting journeys through her cooking expertise.  She enjoyed reading recipe books like others read novels.    She had a knack for interior décor and prided herself in contributing to the furnishings of each family member’s home.    

Mary is survived by her husband of 59 years, George Owen Vickers, and three sons; Gregory Dupree Barker,  Phillip Marshall Barker (Carrie Ann), and Paul Leonard Vickers (Wendy);   eight grandchildren who call her “Memaw”; Jennifer Barker, Benjamin Barker, Marissa Barker Webster (Brenden), Elizabeth “Beth” Barker Mobley (Brad), Brett Barker, Gracie Vickers, Lessie Vickers, and Owen Vickers; and four great-grandchildren, Mary Elliott Mobley, Taylor Mobley, Elizabeth Barker, and Ann Thomas Barker; Douglas and Kay Vickers, and Carolyn Lott, in-laws; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and a special caregiver, Barbara Barr.  She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Marshall Downs, Jr.; and sister, Martha Ann Downs Sourek; and two infant grandchildren, Bradley Dupree Barker and Miranda Dawn Barker; and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Lott. 

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, at 11:00 am at Siloam Baptist Church of West Point, Mississippi.  Visitation will be held prior to services beginning at 9:30 am.   Honorary pallbearers are Benjamin Barker, Brett Barker, Owen Vickers, and Brad Mobley and Brenden Webster.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, sanctuaryhospicehouse.com, Tupelo, Mississippi,   Siloam Baptist Church, 2270 Highway 47,   West Point, Mississippi, SonShine Christian Camp, PO Box 3038, Tupelo, Mississippi, 38803, or the charity of your choice.