Mary Schwartz

Mary Little Schwartz, of Kingsport, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, June 16, 2009, at Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol after a period of declining health.

Born in Smythe County, VA, Mary was the youngest child of Paris Thomas Little, Sr. and Virginia Cahill Little. The family moved to Kingsport when Mary was eleven years-old.

In 1953, Mary founded a wholesale food business, Mary's Salads, in Johnson City. In 1967, she moved to Washington, DC, where she accepted a position with the Department of the Interior. It was in Washington that she met her beloved husband of 40 years, Irvin Schwartz.

Mary and Irv made their home in Palatine, IL, where she worked for the Department of Agriculture. They retired to their present home in Kingsport in 1989.

As the heart of her family, Mary was a strong influence, passing along her love and strong Christian beliefs to her children and grandchildren. Always putting her family first, she was an active volunteer in her children's schools. Working tirelessly, she provided her hearing-impaired son with the best possible education from the age of three through college.

She loved her flower gardens. As a past-president of her garden club, she passed along secrets of growing beautiful plants and flowers. Mary was also a member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church.

Mary is survived by her dear husband, Irvin Schwartz; one daughter, Sheila Briggs and husband Jim of Johnson City; one son, Tim Troutman of Woodbridge, VA; one step-son, Gary Schwartz and wife Regina of Roselle, IL; one granddaughter, Erin Wolfe and husband Joe of Kingsport; one grandson, John Moody of Gray; one step-grandson, Brandon Schwartz of Roselle, IL; one great-granddaughter, Reagan Penix; and one great-grandson, Seth Wolfe. She is also survived by one nephew, Powell Kidd; three nieces, Phyllis Herron, Jane Adams, and Rachel Lanthorn; and several grand-nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Thomas Seay and Rev. Angela Hardy Cross officiating.

Entombment services will follow the funeral at East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be family members and friends.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Marian Chamberlain. Thanks, also, to the entire compassionate staff of Select Specialty Hospital, who loving cared for Mary.