Mary Lucille Kinnaird, age 75, passed away peacefully on April 23rd, 2025, in Scottsdale, AZ. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 28th, 1949, to parents Virginia Irene Barfield from Alabama, and Wilbur Daulphin Harper from Louisiana. She had two siblings, Jesse Nolan Hancock and Elizabeth Marlene Harper. She attended North Fulton High School and was a member of the Rabun Gap Society and the school choir. After graduating with honors, she attended Georgia Baptist Nursing School. She met the love of her life, Earl Lee Kinnaird, who had fulfilled a Western Canadian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and was on a work mission in the southern states when he met Mary. They married on March 22, 1968, and settled in Mesa, Arizona, where they raised three children, Bryan Joseph Kinnaird, Kent Lee Kinnaird, and Meribeth Kinnaird (Johnson).
In her youth, Mary enjoyed reading and studying science. Faith and music were very important parts of her life. She developed a passion for playing piano and was called to be a church organist, which was a calling she happily fulfilled in some way or another throughout her entire adult life. Playing church hymns brought her so much joy. She retired from Mesa Public Schools and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. When she was not filling the house with the sound of practicing hymns for Sundays, she enjoyed family get-togethers, reading, and her favorite television shows were Outlander and Downton Abbey, which were period pieces. Mary will be greatly missed, as memories of her will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to have known and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her beloved Mamaw (grandmother), mother Virginia, brother Jesse, and her son, Kent. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Marlene Harper, husband Earl, son Bryan (his wife Denise), daughter Meribeth (her husband David), daughter-in-law Cindy (Kent’s wife), and her five grandchildren: Taylor Elizabeth Johnson, Katelyn Renee Kinnaird, Nicholas Earl Johnson, Sophia Christine Kinnaird, and Alyson Harper Johnson, all of whom she loved and adored and who brought her the greatest joy of her life.
Her funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at 9:00 am at Mountain View Cemetery and Funeral Home, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved son, Kent.
Oh my dear sister Mary. Your passing has truly broken my heart but has allowed me to spend some time with your two wonderful children Bryan and Meribeth. Your realitives from Georgia and Florida will always remember you and will miss you deeply. We always enjoyed our visits and weekly phone calls. Our common interest in Downtown Abby and The Crown gave us alot to talk abount. You had style, you had grace. Love always Marlene
Goodbye, mom. It was a great 55-years we had. I love you and know we’ll be reunited someday.
I’m going to miss you, Mom. I’ve prepared a video tribute and a eulogy that I hope serve to justify who you were in this life. A good mother, wife, sister, and grandmother. I will miss you dearly, and can’t stop thinking that tomorrow I will lay you to rest in this world for the final time. Though tomorrow may be a homegoing, I’m sure your homecoming on the other side was more glorious than anyone you left behind can imagine. I will always love you.
Why hello there, Bobo! Just thought I’d give you a greeting that reciprocated your energy! I miss you so very much, there will not be a day that goes by that I don’t think of you and your amazing personality and charm. I love you endlessly. I’m so glad you’re at peace up in heaven with my daddy and everyone else now.
You looked beautiful today too. Everyone who loves you was there to celebrate your life, and we all reflected back on the wonderful memories we have with you. Your children absolutely adore you and will never forget how much of an amazing mother you were, and your grandchildren, me included of course, will never forget our sweet, kind, hilarious Bobo. Best grandmother there is. Always supported us no matter what.
In a year, when I complete nursing school, I know you will be there in spirit, cheering me on. You have always been the biggest motivator for me, and as I go through this next year, I will always be thinking of you. I will make you proud.
Oh my dear sister Mary. Your passing has truly broken my heart but has allowed me to spend some time with your two wonderful children Bryan and Meribeth. Your realitives from Georgia and Florida will always remember you and will miss you deeply. We always enjoyed our visits and weekly phone calls. Our common interest in Downtown Abby and The Crown gave us alot to talk abount. You had style, you had grace. Love always Marlene
Goodbye, mom. It was a great 55-years we had. I love you and know we’ll be reunited someday.
I’m going to miss you, Mom. I’ve prepared a video tribute and a eulogy that I hope serve to justify who you were in this life. A good mother, wife, sister, and grandmother. I will miss you dearly, and can’t stop thinking that tomorrow I will lay you to rest in this world for the final time. Though tomorrow may be a homegoing, I’m sure your homecoming on the other side was more glorious than anyone you left behind can imagine. I will always love you.
Why hello there, Bobo! Just thought I’d give you a greeting that reciprocated your energy! I miss you so very much, there will not be a day that goes by that I don’t think of you and your amazing personality and charm. I love you endlessly. I’m so glad you’re at peace up in heaven with my daddy and everyone else now.
You looked beautiful today too. Everyone who loves you was there to celebrate your life, and we all reflected back on the wonderful memories we have with you. Your children absolutely adore you and will never forget how much of an amazing mother you were, and your grandchildren, me included of course, will never forget our sweet, kind, hilarious Bobo. Best grandmother there is. Always supported us no matter what.
In a year, when I complete nursing school, I know you will be there in spirit, cheering me on. You have always been the biggest motivator for me, and as I go through this next year, I will always be thinking of you. I will make you proud.