Mary Belle Lee Paige - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 9/8/2011

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Mary Belle Lee Paige - Madison Parish, Louisiana 
From Monroe Newes-Star, September 8, 2011

Mary Paige, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, passed from the loving 
arms of her children into the Presence of her Savior and Lord, and back into the arms of 
her husband of 53 years, Rev. Richard E. Paige on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Her death 
followed an illness not of her choosing, but an illness that she bore gracefully and with strength.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dan and Lauren Law (Salamanca, New York), 
son Richard E. Paige II (Ruston, LA) and son and daughter-in-law, David and Kim Paige 
(Kennesaw, Georgia) and "heart son" Lindsay and Donna Anderson (Monroe, LA) She is also 
survived by grandson Andy Sadler and Jen Dungan (Salamanca, NY), granddaughter LeeAnne Sadler 
(Salamanca, NY) and grandson Stephen and Enith Sadler (Salamanca, NY). She has five great-grandchildren: 
Holden, Orlando, Luke, Roman and Shannon. She is also survived by sisters Margaret Simpson and 
Edna Franklin of Ruston and Barbara and Glenn Kennimer (Houston, TX), ten nephews and nieces and 
multiple great nephews and nieces. She also has numerous relatives from her husband's Paige family 
in New York and around the United States. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Richard E. 
Paige (Ruston, LA), infant son Andrew Phillip Paige (Colorado Springs, CO) parents Otto and Gussie 
Lee (Simsboro, LA) and brother Wiley Lee (Simsboro, LA).

"Miss Mary", as she was affectionately known by so many, left an indelible impression on the people 
of northeastern Louisiana as both a teacher in several school systems, and as a pastor's wife in 
numerous churches during the past forty years in Louisiana. She is a Simsboro native, born March 12, 1935, 
who traveled around the U.S. and Canada with her husband early in their marriage as he served in 
the United States Air Force. She returned to Louisiana in 1970 where she completed her college 
degree at Louisiana Tech and became a teacher in the Lincoln Parish School System. She would later 
serve in Ouachita and Franklin Parishes during her 23 years of teaching.

"Miss Mary" also taught numerous Sunday School classes and was loved dearly as the pastor's wife at 
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Ruston; New Hope Baptist Church, Choudrant; Temple Baptist Church, 
Monroe; First Baptist Church, Crowville; Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe; and Hico Baptist 
Church, Hico. She avidly supported Christian education and missions and served when called upon 
to share her teaching gifts. She and her husband also served as house parents at Happy House in 
Tallulah for eighteen months, where they were blessed to help many young women through trying times 
and help them to know the love of God and His power to restore.

Mary Paige set an example for those who knew her…an example of faithfulness in marriage…an example 
of remaining true to her values…an example of hard work with a calm spirit…an example of encouraging 
others to be and do their best. She ministered to those in need, to those who were hurting and to those 
who just needed a friend standing by. She will truly be missed by those who knew and loved her. Her 
children will especially miss her love, strength and encouragement.

Visitation will be on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston.

Services will be held at Cook Baptist Church on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM with evangelist 
and best friend Rev. Oda W. "Tuck" Roberts officiating, assisted by Rev. Mike Holloway, pastor of Cook 
Baptist Church and Rev. Barry Joyner, Concord Baptist Association Director of Missions.

Pallbearers include nephews Greg Franklin, Kip Franklin, Todd Franklin, Mike Collie, special friends Mac 
Ward, Wayne Parker and honorary pall bearer and beloved friend George Green.

Her family and friends are thrilled to know that God has answered prayers for her complete healing and 
she now enters her heavenly reward restored, renewed and refreshed. Thank you to the friends who have 
made her last days happier with your visits, phone calls, gifts of food and cards. A special thank you 
to Superior Hospice for loving and professional services provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gideon Bible Society or Rolling Hills Ministry of Ruston.