Mary Lou Bodkins Willard

Mary Lou Bodkins Willard, 77, of Lenoir passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Hibriten Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation. Born, September 6th, 1948 in Logan, Ohio she was the daughter of the late Sylvester Eddie Bodkins and Minnie Lucille Bodkins.

Mary may have been small in stature, but she was full of sass, stubbornness, humor, and an endless amount of love. She cherished her family deeply and formed many meaningful friendships throughout her life. Mary found joy in simple pleasures, puzzles, bingo, word searches, crocheting, and settling in to watch her favorite soap operas, NASCAR races, and movies. She was truly loved by all who knew her and will be dearly, deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter Diana Cover of Texas; her son Gary Mills Jr of Ohio; her sister Janet Anderson of Ohio; and her granddaughter Adrian Stahl and husband Nathan Stahl of Florida; and her beloved great-grandchildren Tucker and Taylee Stahl.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her siblings Alfred "Lee" Leroy Bodkins, Blaine Sylvester Bodkins, Linda Kay Bodkins, Eddie "June" Bodkins Jr.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, December 27th, from 1:00-4:00 PM at Jenkins Funeral Home Celebration Center located at 4801 Startown Road Newton, NC 28658.

Family and friends are invited to drop in as we honor her by enjoying some of her favorite things. Please feel free to dress casually and wear her favorite color, blue, or a NASCAR shirt in her memory.

Flowers are not necessary, as the family will be traveling. If you wish to bring something, a card for her daughter, Diana, would be appreciated.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Willard family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.