MOUNT VERNON — Mary Ann Hilliard, 76, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Mary Ann was born August 10, 1946, a daughter of Robert Lee Decker & Mary Evelyn (Spilman) Decker.
She began working as a surgical secretary, a beautician, before earning her Bachelor’s Degree. She then became a 7th grade teacher at Sacred Heart Grade School in Springfield, IL before earning her Master’s Degree in Counseling. She then worked as a mental health therapist, and as a college professor at Richland Community College in Decatur, IL. She was a member of the Church of Christ in McLeansboro, IL and was a member of the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors Association (LCCP) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for many years.
Mary Ann enjoyed gardening, making homemade jewelry, and she had a good sense of humor. She had a strong work ethic, and she was dedicated to her career. To her sisters, she was known as “the boss” because whatever she said, they would do. She enjoyed spending time with her friends & family.
Mary Ann is survived by a daughter DeWana (Don) Adamski of Athens, IL; a grandson Joshua Adamski, 2 great-grandchildren: Joshua Adamski Jr. and Jaxon Adamski; 5 sisters: Melissa Browning of McLeansboro, IL; Sharry (Don) Hill of McLeansboro, Mindy (William) Hanks of McLeansboro, Angela (Mark) Stoller of Sudbury, MA and Marla Miller of Salem, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert & Mary Decker, her first husband Robert Louis Hilliard, and her second husband George May.
Graveside funeral services for Mary Ann Hilliard will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Brady Cemetery in Akin, IL with Pastor Roger Turner officiating. Those attending the service are asked to meet directly at the cemetery. Donations in Mary Ann’s memory may be made to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com