Mary Learlene Hedrick

As the sun was rising on December 15, 1931, it meant the beginning of the life of Mary Learlene Burns. This beautiful baby girl was born to John and Osha Morris Burns in Texarkana, Arkansas. Mary became Mrs. Mary L. Hedrick when she married Clarence Hedrick. The Lord added to their union five children. Mary was a homemaker and a caregiver. Those who truly loved Mary called her “Our Mom” or “Mema”. She was a longtime resident of Deming, New Mexico where she enjoyed scrapbooking and cooking. She was known for her Chili Reno, which were her specialty and her delicious chocolate pies. Being an avid traveler she later moved back to Arkansas in 2007 to be with her daughters. She was a Christian woman full of faith and wisdom. During all of her 78 seasons of life, she made friends across every race, gender, faith and creed; she freely offered wise counsel, gave generously to those in need and inspired everyone who crossed her path. On December 29, 2009 with her children at her bedside to bid her a safe journey home she departed this earth in body only. Her gentle smile and infectious laugh lives on forever. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clarence Hedrick, and a son Jimmy Hedrick. She has left indelible impressions in the hearts and minds of her children; three daughters, Bonnie Hawn of Arkadelphia, Brenda Dotson of Arkadelphia, Anita Seay of Tucson, Arizona; and a son, James (Amy) Hedrick of Tucson, Arizona; three brothers, Durrell Burns of Deming, New Mexico, Boyce Burns of Haggerman, New Mexico, and Harless Burns of Oregon; one sister, Sherri Huggins of Colorado Springs, Colorado; eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Samatha) Hedrick of Hot Springs, Tyler Hedrick, Matthew Seay, Jimmy (Tanyia) Seay all of Tucson, Arizona, Kyle Seay of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Wesley Dotson of Arkadelphia, Ashley (Brandon) Bradshaw and Vanessa Hedrick of Bismarck and her great-grandchildren, Hayden Hedrick, Parker Hedrick, Dakato Bradshaw, Mikalia Bradshaw, a baby great-granddaughter on the way and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. The Hedrick family has planned a memorial service to be held Saturday, January 9, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. in the Assembly of God Church in Deming, New Mexico.