Mary Armon Gilliland

Wren, Ms- Mary Armon Wood Finley Gilliland “Mary Armon”, 91, peacefully departed her earthly walk on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, from her home in Wren, Mississippi. She was born on July 12th, 1933, the daughter of the late Thomas Elkin Wood, Sr. and Geneva Mae Hood Wood. Mary graduated from Wren School with the class of 1950. She married her high school sweetheart, the late Billy Frank Finley, Sr. in 1949. They shared four children, three daughters and one son She was widowed young, and her family was her greatest achievement. Mary worked for Sears and Roebuck Catalog in appliance sales for twenty years. After retirement Mary used the sewing talents, her mother blessed her with to become an accomplished seamstress. Mary married the late Edward Boozer Gilliland in 1975, bringing her one stepson and one stepdaughter. Mary’s relationship with her lord and savior guided every aspect of her life. She was a faithful member of Tranquil Methodist Church in the Wren community. Mary’s most cherished title has always been and forever will be, “MAWMAW.” 

Services will be held to honor her life at Tisdale-Lann Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Mississippi on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at 11:00 am. with Brother Mark Thornton presiding. Visitation for friends and relatives will be one hour before services. Burial will be at Tranquil Methodist Church Cemetery in Wren, Mississippi. 

Mary is survived by three daughters, Patricia Ann Finley Hooser (Stuart) of Germantown, TN, Barbara Jean Finley Oliver (the late Glenn) of Wren, MS, and Mary Susan Finley Hannah (the late Brian) of Ponchatoula, LA. One Stepson, Ronald Gilliland (Shirley) of Nacogdoches, TX, and one Stepdaughter, Janet Gilliland Switzer (Ricky) of Irving, TX. Nine grandchildren, Bryan Oliver (Erika), Ryan Oliver (Katie), MaryAnn Hooser Bryan (Blake), Andrew Hooser (Katie), Kerry Oliver Frazier (Robert), Ashley Howes Hotard (Jason), Myra Oliver Floyd (Mike), Stacia Slayton Penn, and Richard Switzer, twenty great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, an extended family. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, brothers, Allen Cox Wood and Thomas Elkin Wood Jr., and her son, Billy Frank Finley Jr. 

Pallbearers will be Bryan Oliver, Ryan Oliver, Harrison Oliver, Blake Bryan, Andrew Hooser, Stuart Hooser, Jason Hotard, Richard Switzer and Robert Frazier.

Memorials may be made in her honor to: 

Tranquil Methodist Church 

C/o Barbara McGhee 

20024 Box Road 

Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730 

A special Thanks for the kindness and support shown by the staff of Legacy Hospice, Brother Mark Thornton, and Dr. Harold R. Thomas.