A Celebration of Life for Mac Essary, 76, of Tishomingo, was held on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Clark Funeral Chapel in Tishomingo. A private family burial at the Tishomingo Cemetery took place prior to the service. Mr. Essary passed away on Dec. 13, 2011 at Mercy Hospital Tishomingo.

Mac was born on Sept. 11, 1935, in the Bee Community to Franklin Thomas Essary and Mary Ida Ballard Essary. He was raised and attended school in Johnston County his entire life. On Aug. 26, 1959, Mac took the hand of Ruth Fay Hitchcock in marriage at Fillmore. They were married for over 52 years.

Very few things happened in Johnston County that Mac didn’t have knowledge of because he was the printer for the Johnston County Capital-Democrat for over 40 years. In 2003, at the age of 72, Mac became an Ordained Minister. He served as Assistant Pastor for the Ravia Church of God until he was recently hospitalized.

In his leisure time he could be found fishing, hunting or his favorite past time of being with his family. Earlier in life Mac also served 11 years in the National Guard.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Mack Campbell.

Mr. Essary is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ruth of the home; his son, Tommy W. Essary and wife Laurie of Arlington, Texas; his daughters, Becky Ruth Enson and husband Micheal of Albuquerque, N.M., Loretta Payne of Ardmore, and Dawn L. Segroves and husband Harold of Shelbyville, Tenn.; three sisters, Beatrice Campbell of Tishomingo, Myrtle Marie Martin and husband Mendel of Venice, Fla., and Betty Lou Dennis and husband R.C. of Mount Pleasant, Texas; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.