Mary Louise Early

Mary Louise (Harrison) Early of Georgetown, Texas passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at the age of 84. She was born on September 26, 1938 in Franklin County, Virginia where she grew up as the oldest of four children. She was the first in her family to obtain a college degree, graduating from Ferrum Junior College in 1959 and from Radford College in 1961 with degrees in elementary education.

Mary’s passion was in educating young children and she was dedicated to ensuring all of her students had the support needed to thrive academically. She spent most of her career working as a first-grade teacher at Mound Elementary in Miamisburg, Ohio until her retirement in 1992. Mary regularly provided additional supplies and guidance to her students in need and, to support all students equally, volunteered to teach in the first desegregated classrooms in the Slidell, Louisiana public school system.

Always an encouraging and positive person, she looked beyond her own health concerns to offer care, support, and words of grounded wisdom to those around her. A truly dedicated mother that instilled responsibility in her children and pushed them to achieve their potential. A mother that will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 62 years, Gerald Elbert Early. Additionally, Mary is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Kimberly Early, Dirk and Xiaoling Early, and Gregory and Jennifer Early, and her five grandchildren, Nicholas (and his wife Chiara), Matthew, Nathan, Sydney, and Madeline Early. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, William and Sue Harrison, several cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a number of dear friends.

In Mary’s wishes, there will not be a formal viewing or funeral. At a later date, a celebration of her life and the impact she had on this world will be shared with her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to Flint Hill United Methodist Church, 522 Booker T Washington Hwy, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 and mark gifts “In Memory of Mary Early in Support of Rural Education” or to the MD Anderson Cancer Center at: https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=26369&intcmpid=mdaccorg_donate