On April 7, 2021, Mary Alice Krall Essex of Batesville, Indiana, (formerly of San Diego, CA) left this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She was born September 7, 1933 in Preble County, Ohio, to Bertram and Mildred Krall. She spent her early adult years in the US Navy. She was a stay at home Mom once her children arrived, but returned to the work place once they were all school age. She had a lengthy career working for the City of El Cajon, CA as dispatcher for the Police Department and Fire Department. She retired from NOSC in Pt Loma, California. In 2003 she and her husband, Gary, moved to SE Indiana.
She is survived by her husband Gary Essex, whom she married in 1982. Gary’s love for her was boundless. He took his marriage vows as sacred, for better or for worse, by caring for her to her end, at home, as she suffered with dementia.
She is survived by her six children, Victoria Lynn Lewis (Steve), Robin Gail Hanson (Dave), Dawn Melissa Brown (Bill) and Wendy Hope Watson Morris (Jerry), Dawn Christine Tinker (Phil), Dixine Kathleen King and her sister-in-law, Dawn Lawrence (Albert). She was predeceased by her son, Alan Bates, her son-in-law, Michael Watson and her granddaughter, Erin Watson.
She was a fun loving, devoted and very active Grandma to her grandchildren. They are Shannon Brady (Jason), Jeffrey Lewis, Jesse Hanson (Ashley), Andrew Bates, Jonathan Bates (Jessica), Mary Lawrence (Jonathan), Devon Watson (Joe Ochs), Alice Claxton (Chuck), William Brown Jr. (Emily), Luke Tinker (Hillarey), Amanda Tinker and Larry King. She also was Aunt Mary Alice to several nieces and nephews. She was later blessed by the arrival of 26 great grandchildren.
Even though her final years were marred by dementia, her happiness, cheerfulness, silliness, playfulness and love for each of us never waned. She has impacted our lives forever. As a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandma and Great Grandma, she will be missed terribly.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
You are welcome to leave a message at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com on Mary’s obituary page for the family in the online guestbook.