Mary Ann Fisher

August 25, 1927 - January 7, 2016

Mary Ann (Gregory) Fisher, age 88, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, January 7, 2016, in Pleasanton, California. Mary Ann, the second of three children, was born to the union of Ashley and Nora Gregory on August 25, 1927, in Marshall, Missouri. After living most of her adult life in St. Louis, Mary Ann recently relocated to Dublin, California to be closer to her son and daughter, and their families. Mary Ann attended Mount Olive Baptist Church in Marshall, Missouri with her family and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She remained dedicated to her Christian faith throughout her life, later uniting with Third Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Ferguson, Missouri. Mary Ann attended the public schools in Marshall, Missouri and later attended C.C. Hubbard High School in Sedalia, Missouri. In August of 1943, the family relocated to Cahokia, Illinoiswhere Mary Ann attended and graduated from Lincoln High School in Venice, Illinois. She attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and completed her college education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis earning a Master of Arts Degree in Education. It was Mary Ann’s quiet beauty and intelligence that attracted Junius Fisher of Pine Bluff, Arkansas to her while at Lincoln University. Junius and Mary Ann were united in Holy Matrimony in 1950 and were blessed with two children, Joan and Junius, Jr. Mary Ann was a professional educator employed with the St. Louis Public Schools for over 35 years where she taught junior high school mathematics. Her love and passion for teaching was exemplified through the positive reinforcement, compassion, and sound instruction she provided to her students. She developed and maintained lifelong relationships with many of her students. Former students contacted her throughout the years to express their thanks and appreciation to her for positively impacting their lives and many attributed their professional success to her teachings. Mary Ann was a kind, giving, and encouraging person who enjoyed life to the fullest through simple pleasures. She enjoyed spending time with family, visiting the old homestead in Williamsburg, Missouri, and sharing “down at the farm” stories that always filled the room with laughter. She was an avid sports enthusiast who loved the St. Louis Rams, cherished her St. Louis Cardinals, and remained a loyal LeBron James fan. She especially delighted in watching her great granddaughter Kayla’s basketball games. She loved solving math problems, found joy in working complex puzzles, and remained abreast of current events by reading the newspaper daily. Mary Ann enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad, collecting watches, perfume, and purses, as well as shopping for herself and family members. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and made generous donations to charitable organizations. She was preceded in death by her father, Ashley Gregory, mother, Nora Gregory, husband Junius Fisher Sr., sister Elizabeth Marie Gregory, and brother William Ashley Gregory Sr. Mary Ann leaves loving family members to cherish her memory: daughter, Joan (Glen) Frierson; son, Junius Jr. (Carolyn); granddaughter, Taryn Frierson; grandsons, Junius III and Jamar; great granddaughter, Kayla Frierson; nieces, Linda (Eric) King, Nina (Irving) King, Althea Byas, Charlotte Johnson-Watts; nephew, Ashley Gregory and a host of other relatives and friends. “Our memories are filled with the love, joy, and laughter that flowed abundantly from your heart.”