Mary Helton Berg

Mary E. “Grammy” Helton, 71, passed away unexpectedly on December 03, 2022. Mary was born on February 13, 1951, in Kansas City, Missouri to Myrl Ira Helton Sr and Lucille Elizabeth (Horan) Helton.

Mary was married to Jerry L. Hensley January of 1974 with whom she shared a daughter with, Heather Ann (Hensley) McKinley-Maier. Mary spent several years working in real estate. After her retirement she dedicated her last years to sharing quality time with family and friends.

Mary will be remembered for her tenacious drive to take on the world. She loved her family fiercely and often spoke to the importance of living a stress free and positive lifestyle. Her most often and valuable spoken quote was “Happiness is a state of mind”- Mary E. Helton Berg.

You could often find her sitting comfortably on her couch telling stories, giving advice, sharing love, and offering her knowledge from her personal life experiences. She loved to listen to her grandchildren sing and dance through her living room and encouraged it every opportunity she could.

Mary had an endless amount of love for children. She informally adopted nearly every child she encountered. She had an exciting personality and a free-spirited attitude which she enjoyed sharing with the youth. Most who have loved and lost her will remember her as a passionate friend and mother.

Mary is preceded in death by her father Myrl Ira Helton Sr., Mother Lucille Elizabeth (Horan) Helton, sister Betty Lucille (Helton) Wooldridge, brother Myrl Ira Helton Jr, and nephew Shawn Jeffrey Helton.

Mary is survived by daughter Heather Ann (Hensley) McKinley-Maier and son-in-law David E. Maier; granddaughters Alexis McKinley and Samantha Maier, great granddaughters Olivia, Melonie, Priscilla, Shiloh, Francesca, and Italy Rose., Son Jason Richard Rush, Dearest family friend Jim Carrel Luman Sr., Brother Mark Edward Helton Sr., niece Stephanie Lynn (Woodridge) Caruso, niece Pamela Sain, niece Kimberly (Helton) Scantlin, nephew Bradley Helton, and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank Jim Carrel Luman Sr. for the excellent care and love he gave to Mary during her final years. Additionally, the several hospice nurses for their efforts, care, and passion during her most vulnerable moments. We would also like to thank Terrace Park Funeral Home & Cemetery for their support so that we may celebrate the life of Mary.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Terrace Park Cemetery - Lakeside Chapel - on Saturday, December 17, with visitation beginning at 1:00pm, followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm.