Mary Ann (Riley) Sanders Beal, 91, of Dix, passed away at 5:03 p.m., Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the home of her daughter, in Oblong, Illinois.
She was born November 28, 1932, in Kell, the daughter of John Carl Riley, Sr., and Nora Dell (Hawkins) Riley. On February 5, 1949, in Kentucky, she married Darrel Sanders, and he preceded her in death on January 15, 1992. She later married Wayne Beal on December 1, 2002, in Dix, and he preceded her in death on August 25, 2022.
She attended Little Prairie Grade School, and attended Centralia High School, until her mother’s passing, during her junior year. She worked at the dress factory in Centralia for many years, and also worked as a school cook at Rome Grade School in Dix, prior to her retirement. She attended Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Kell Baptist Church in Kell, and, most recently, Oblong Baptist Church in Oblong. She enjoyed crafts, cooking, and cake decorating, and also playing with children. She traveled to Ireland in 2023, to visit her ancestor’s homeland.
Mary Ann is survived by her children, Peggy Wilson and husband James of Oblong, Donna Meyers and husband Glen of Texico, Nancy Gilliam of Monroe Center, Illinois, Dwayne Sanders and wife Mary of Mt. Vernon; Step-sons, David, Gary, and Mark Beal and Families; nineteen grandchildren, Teresa, Christi, Charlie, Tony, DeAnna, Dan, Shane, Meridith, Chad, Jimmy, Paul, Clete, Travis, Mandi, Greg, Brad, Amanda, Heather, and Derek; thirty-nine great-grandchildren; and sixteen great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to both of her husbands, Darrel Sanders and Wayne Beal, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Wayne Sanders, who passed away December 2, 1991; seven brothers, Harry, Oscar, James, John Carl Jr., Billy, Floyd, and infant brother Frank; and five sisters, Dorothy, Aline, Nellis, Betty, and an infant sister.
Funeral services for Mary Ann will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon), Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Justin Sweitzer officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 10:00 a.m., until the hour of service, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to Zion Grove Cemetery, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page. It is a time to rejoice for her life well lived.