Mary Sexton Obituary

Mary Lou Sexton, Age 85, of Jackson, Michigan, passed into eternity and the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

She was born in Murray, Kentucky on September 22, 1940 to Vernon and Geneva Turner.

Mary Lou graduated in 1958 from Tilghman High School, Paducah, Kentucky. She and her family moved to Jackson, Michigan that same year. Mary Lou grew up a pastor's kid. "V.A.," her father, accepted the call to ministry at multiple churches throughout the years which kept the family on the move. Mary Lou got used to being the new kid at school in places like Tallulah, Louisianna; Owensboro, Lovelaceville and Paducah, Kentucky.

She met the love of her life, Donald "Donnie" Sexton, soon after arriving in Jackson. They married on January 5th , 1963. Married for 58 years, "Grandma and Pawpaw" could frequently be found sitting together in their lawn chairs in front of the garage soaking in the afternoon sun at their House on the Hill surrounded by the fruit orchards of Northern Kent County, Michigan.

Mary Lou, known for her strong work ethic, was a valued employee at Chicken Inn restaurant, Consumers Power Company, Weatherwax Drug Store, and Jackson Community Mental Health. She was Doctor Bashan's Office Manager in Calvert City, Kentucky, and the "Lunch Lady" for 10 years at Kent City Elementary School. Mary Lou was a graduate of the Jackson School of Cosmetology and worked for brief time as a hairdresser, and used her skills to frequently bless Donnie, Joey, and Timmy with fresh haircuts. She loved spending time with and serving her family, no matter where on planet earth they might be. She enjoyed cooking and was known for her melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls and cream cheese frosted carrot cake. She loved her church families in Jackson, Calvert City, Kentucky and Sparta, Michigan. She was always looking for ways to bless God's people through her generosity, time, and friendships. One of Mary Lou's greatest passions was her grandkids. She loved reading and making up bedtime stories. Her story of the "Short-Necked Giraffe" lives on as the number one requested favorite.

She is survived by her son, Joe (Melene), brother Johnny (Linda Jo) Turner, daughter-in-law Sandy (Brent) Heath, grandchildren, Eleanor (Will) Gardner, Jenna Sexton, Grace (Dominic) McClung, Emily Sexton (Andy Peffers), Megan and Trent Sexton, and great granddaughter Vera Faye McClung. She was preceded in death by her husband Don, her son, Tim, her parents V.A. and Geneva Turner, and her siblings, Charles Turner, Linda Holt, Norah Slayden, and Richard Turner.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel Church, 1691 Springport Rd, Jackson, Michigan, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:00 am with Pastor Jordan Napier officiating. Mary Lou's family will greet friends and family, Monday, January 12, 4-6 pm, at Watson's Funeral Home, 2590 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson, Michigan, and Tuesday January 13 beginning at 10 am at Bethel Church. Contributions in her memory may be given to Baptist Bible Church, 12994 Paine Ave, Sparta, MI 49345 and Bethel Church, Jackson.

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