MAUMELLE — Mary Elizabeth Ross Gammill,

age 90, of Maumelle, died Monday, November 22, 2021 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. She was born on April 5, 1931 in Wing, Ark., (Yell County), to the late Herbert Ross and Lyda McTigrit Ross. Reared and receiving her early education in White Hall, Mary later graduated from the Baptist School of Nursing and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). While in nursing school, she served as president of her class. Mary had a varied working life while rearing her children: she, along with her husband, Lewis Gammill, ran a grocery store; she worked for Arkansas National Life Insurance Company for 10+ years; she became a Licensed Funeral Director; and more recently, she put to use her nursing skills while working for Ortho Arkansas. Mary attended Saint James United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Growing up as the only girl in a family of seven children, Mary developed an independence that carried her through a life of successes and failures, and also much joy and happiness, which she spread to all those within her orbit. She loved to travel and to find places where she could put into practice her joy of dancing. She could befriend anyone, and her loyalty and unconditional love to those fortunate enough to be in her realm of friends was unbreakable. Her family, though, was her life. She faced the loss of her husband, Lewis Gammill, the love of her life, in 1973, while bringing up her two youngest children, leaving her a widow with an eight year old son and a three year old son. Mary persevered, sacrificed, worked hard, and those boys grew into responsible, successful adults. Over the past year and a half, Mary suffered the loss of two sons. She showed exemplary grace and poise during these losses, which she drew upon from her own upbringing. Mary was the embodiment of one who has faced the worst that life can inflict on us, but yet she refused to give in to self-pity. Her inner strength and trust in God prevailed.

Mary leaves behind her surviving children: Mike and Carolyn Hammonds of Bryant; John Ross Gammill and his wife Camille, of Hot Springs; and Pat Crane and her husband, Larry, of Little Rock; a brother, Bill Ross and his wife, Virginia, of

Garland, Texas; 15 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her sons, Joseph Torres, Jr., and Jack “Scooter” Gammill; a grandson, Josh Torres; and by five brothers, Rex Leon Ross, Herbert T. “Bo” Ross, Raymond “Pete” Ross, Roy Lee Ross, and John Ross.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

J. A. Funk Funeral Home of Malvern is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to your local VFW or to Wounded Warriors.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.