Mary W. Renfro

Mary White Renfro, 99, of Lebanon, IL, died Monday, September 28, 2015, at Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center, Lebanon, IL.

Mary was born December 5, 1915, to George and Myrtle (Nee Dodge) Litherland, in Washington, D.C.  On May 13, 1943, she married Lamar Franklin Renfro, in Washington, D.C.

She was born and grew up in Washington, D.C.  At the age of 7, she was adopted by her mother’s sister and her husband, Ernest and Leila (Nee Dodge) White.  She graduated George Washington University, with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

She was a member of 1 ^st United Methodist Church, Lebanon, IL, United Methodist Women, P. E. O., Rotary, Delta Kappa Gamma, DAR, Eastern Star, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. Mary created Help for Mom and Voices for Children.  She was a recipient of Chamber of Commerce, Woman of the Year.  She created 2 CD’s of Children’s music, which all of the proceeds go to Help for Mom.  She has led the Rotary Club’s drive for Dictionary’s event for the last 11 years, in which every child in the 4 ^th grade receives a free dictionary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Myrtle Litherland and Ernest and Leila White; 3 brothers, Allyn Litherland, John Litherland, Myron Litherland; great-grandson, Nathan Gadra, at birth.

She is survived by: her daughter and family, Kathleen Renfro (Dr. Joseph) Weber, Edwardsville, IL, granddaughter, Kristin Weber (Todd) Schrewe, great-grandson, Brayden Schrewe, great-granddaughter, Sloan Schrewe, grandson, Neal (fiancé’ Danielle Wessel) Weber; son and family, Stephen White (Jeanne Rogers) Renfro, Murphysboro, IL, granddaughter, Stephanie Renfro, granddaughter, Emily Renfro (Cory) Gadra, great-granddaughter, Carly Gadra, granddaughter, Blair Renfro (Tony) Streifel, great-grandson, Kai Streifel, great-grandson, Talon Streifel; son and family, David Litherland (Helen Thebeau) Renfro, granddaughter, Mashall (Adarin) Webster, great-granddaughter, Ashley (Nick) Huels, great-great-grandson, Jayce Huels, great-granddaughter, Haley Poole, great-granddaughter, Savannah Webster; son and family, Richard Lamar (Linda Elliot) Renfro, Jerseyville, IL, granddaughter, Denise (fiance Ryan Sparks) Renfro, great-grandson, Paxton Sparks, grandson, Mathew Lamar (Sarah Spafford) Renfro, great-granddaughter, Scarlet Renfro, great-grandsons, twin – Samuel Renfro, twin – Luke Renfro, granddaughter, Leslie Elliot (Kyle) Mueller, great-grandson, Clinton Mueller, great-granddaughter, Kadie Mueller; nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to 1 ^st United Methodist Church, Lebanon – Organ Fund or Elevator Fund, Help for Mom, Rotary – Dictionary project.

Visitation: Thursday, October 1, 2015, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and Friday, October 2, 2015, from 9:00 to 10:00 am at 1 ^st United Methodist Church, Lebanon, IL.

Funeral: Friday, October 2, 2015 at 10:00 am at 1 ^st United Methodist Church.

Clergy: Rev. Don Burroughs, Retired and Rev. Peter Wehrly, Pastor, 1 ^st United Methodist Church, Lebanon, IL.

Interment: College Hill Cemetery

Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL