Mary Katherine Iles Seale

Mary Katherine Iles Seale, 86, of DeRidder, Louisiana went home to heaven on Thursday December 20th, 2012.

Mary was born to William Penn Iles and Mildred Campbell Iles, both of Beauregard Parish pioneer families, on August 23rd, 1926.  She graduated first in her class from Dry Creek High School and earned an academic scholarship to Louisiana College.  Mary declined the scholarship to instead work for the U.S. Navy in New Orleans, Louisiana during World War II.  After World War II she met and married the love of her life Jake Seale of DeRidder, Louisiana.  They were married for 65 years.

Growing up on her parent’s ranch in Dry Creek, Louisiana, she herded sheep on horseback and daily helped her mother prepare lunch for forty hired hands.  For 44 years Mary worked as office manager for Hixson Funeral Home and Magnolia Life Insurance.  Enjoying people and making them feel special was her forte’.  “Miss Mary”, as she was often called, was known for her sweet smile and expertise at dominos.  She was very devoted to and very proud of her two daughters, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren who all adored her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Penn Iles and Mildred Campbell Iles, her brother, James Iles and her sister, Iva Jean Cole.

Those left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, Jake Seale of DeRidder, daughter, Kay Seale Roper and husband, Colonel (Ret) Everette Roper, Jr of Enterprise Alabama, daughter, Jan Seale Benson and husband, Colonel (Ret) Robert Benson of Coudersport, Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Rana Roper Holcek and husband, LTC Robert Holcek of Fort Sam Houston Texas, Karyn Roper Shelnutt and husband, Major Jeff Shelnutt of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Major Jake Roper and wife, Jamie Roper of Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, South Carolina,  Tara Kathryn McLamore and husband, Shane McLamore of DeRidder, Louisiana, Dr. Rhet Langley and wife, Hailey Langley, of Eglin Air Force Base, Niceville Florida, and Lana Elizabeth Benson of Fort Worth, Texas; and her great-grandchildren Kaki Holcek, Kaylie Holcek, Jackson Shelnutt, Saydie Kay Shelnutt, Clay Roper,  Carter McLamore, Cruz McLamore and Cane McLamore.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 23rd, 2012 at 2 o’clock pm at the Myers-Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, DeRidder Louisiana.  Reverend Lindsey Burns will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Beauregard Cemetery under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 22nd, 2012 from 5pm-7pm at Myers-Colonial Funeral Home, DeRidder, Louisiana.

Mary’s family wishes to thank Dr. Henry Carter and the entire staff of Westwood Manor Nursing Home for their wonderful, loving care and especially for their friendship.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, DeRidder, Louisiana or God’s Food Box, PO Box 1245, DeRidder, LA 70634.