Mary Lou Biggerstaff, 91 years old, passed away on November 8th, 2022 at her home in Richmond, Indiana.
Mary was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on August 12, 1931. She grew up in Middlesboro where her father ran the bike shop in town. She and her siblings enjoyed small-town life. She bravely joined the newly created Women’s Army Corps in 1950, seven years after it was established. She proudly, and distinctly served her country both stateside and in Germany. She served for several years at the U.S. Pentagon where she was recognized and awarded numerous commendations for meritorious service. There is a plaque in her honor in the women’s military museum in Washington, DC. Following her distinguished career, she retired in 1974 at the highest enlisted rank at the time of Command Sergeant Major.
Mary also wrote poetry and her book: LYRIC MEDITATIONS: POEMS OF FAITH AND, FRIENDSHIP, is still available on Amazon. She wrote about her strong faith, her love of God and her family, and her devotion to her mother. She was also well known for her love of animals. She had many, many beloved pets through the years and always fondly remembered them. She was a favorite of all of her nieces and nephews with her stories and always had a way of making each one feel they were her favorite.
Mary is preceded in death by both of her parents, Richard H. Biggerstaff, Sr., and Dorothy Fay (Humfleet) Biggerstaff. Also preceding her were all her siblings, Richard H. Biggerstaff, Jr., Betty Jean Tyler, Beverly Jo Biggerstaff, Catherine L. Adkins, and Ann Heath. She was also preceded by her friend, Dorothy Michaels, who shared the Army experience with her. Mary was greatly loved and will be incredibly missed by a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews in various parts of the country.
There will be a funeral at Shumate Funeral Home in Middlesboro, Kentucky with times to be announced. Her burial will be in Middlesboro Cemetery in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Friends may call from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home 222 North 10th Street Richmond, Indiana 47374.