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Obituaries
Mary Simonton Best (07-31-2009)
Mary Simonton Best was born January 4, 1917 in Brighton, TN and passed away peacefully on July 28, 2009. She was the daughter of William Presley and Annie Mauldin Simonton of Brighton.

Mary was a graduate of Union University in Jackson, TN with a degree in Elementary Education. She received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Mary was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and Alpha Delta Kappa (honorary teacher’s sorority).

During World War II she worked for American Airlines in Memphis, TN and served as a volunteer Gray Lady with the American Red Cross at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis. She taught in elementary schools in Tennessee, North Carolina, and in Dubach (Hopewell Elementary) and Ruston (Cypress Springs Elementary), LA.
Mary met William V. (Bill) Best in Cincinnati, OH during World War II (1942) and they were married November 30, 1946 in Covington, TN. They moved to Wilmington, North Carolina and lived there until 1968 when they moved to Ruston to open a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.

Bill Best preceded her in death on July 11, 2006. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters: Dr. Mary Ann Best of Galveston, TX and Jane Ellen Graham of Wylie, TX, two grand daughters: Melissa Erin Graham and Melanie Elizabeth Graham of Wylie, TX and one sister: Frances Moore of Brighton, TX as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Ruston. She worked many years as a volunteer Pink Lady at Lincoln General Hospital in the gift shop.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 31st at Kilpatrick Funeral Home from 5 - 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church of Ruston on Saturday, August 1 at 10am and burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home
PO Box 4196
Monroe, LA 71211.