Mary S. Tislow

Mary Louise Seaver Tislow was born in St Paul, Virginia February 4, 1923 to Orville Ralph and Nevada Stidham Seaver and passed away April 27, 2024. She was the fourth of six children. Her father managed several bakeries in Tennessee and Kentucky so she moved numerous times in her childhood. She spent much of her childhood in Johnson City and Jonesborough, Tennessee and graduated from Jonesborough High School in 1940. Her sense of adventure and independence led her to Grady Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia.

Upon graduating with her RN degree, she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps. She commented that she was quite worried that the war would end prior to her being able to enlist!  Mary served stateside at Camp Butner, North Carolina caring for soldiers returning from overseas duty. Her time at Camp Butner changed the course of her life because there she met her future husband, Marion Tislow, a skinny guy from Indiana who fell for her southern charm. When the war was over, she returned to Johnson City to work in the VA Hospital there. He returned to Indiana to finish his engineering degree at Purdue University, West Lafayette. They were married September 4, 1947 and spent their first married years at West Lafayette where she worked as a private duty nurse while Marion finished his degree.

Upon Marion’s graduation, they moved to Vincennes, Indiana where their daughter Dianne was born. Shortly after her birth, they moved to Terre Haute where Mary lived until her death. Mary worked several years at Union Hospital before deciding to devote her time to her family, church and civic activities.

Mary and Marion welcomed a second daughter Melinda (Mindy) 13 years after Dianne. Mary was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Women’s Department, PEO, board member of the Florence Crittendon Home, Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed attending Community Theater and Terre Haute Symphony performances.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Dianne Bradley (James) of Sneedville, TN, Melinda Alford (Jeffrey) of Beech Grove, grandson Michael Bradley, Sneedville, granddaughter Alyssa Alford, Beech Grove, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years Marion who died in 1985. and three sisters and two brothers.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Roselawn Memorial Park, with Pastor Michael Bennett officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.