Obituary of Mary Alice Bellflower

Mary Alice Bellflower died peacefully and unexpectedly on Friday, May 3, 2024, at MediLodge of Howell.  Born Sept. 10, 1940, in Etowah, Arkansas, she was the daughter of the late Berlie and Oletta Barrett Johnson and was the first of their seven children.  

The Johnson family moved from Tennessee to the Howell area in 1951, where Mary attended Howell schools and was excited to get her first job at the now historic Howell Theater, selling tickets.  She was stunned by the family’s sudden return to Tennessee in 1957, followed not long after by their move to Plant City, Florida.  Graduating there in 1959, it was also where she met her husband, David Bruce Bellflower. Reversing her journey, the couple rejoined her family in Tennessee in time for the birth of their first child, David Lee in 1961, and their daughter, Tracy Ann, back in Michigan in 1965.  The marriage ended soon after.  

Settling again in Howell, Mary worked briefly for the law firm of Heikkinen, Gates & Hensick before becoming an Assistant Payments Worker for what was then the Dept. of Social Services – Livingston County, handling both A.D.C. and Medicaid caseloads. A job she took very seriously, she received numerous citations for volunteer work on weekends to assist clients who couldn’t come in to the office during normal hours.

 Her children now grown, during this time she was also active in a local theater group.  Mary was an accomplished seamstress and made costumes for plays and clothes for her grandchildren and nieces as well as.  She also loved to paint, collected dolls and created many beautiful dolls of her own. 

In 1997 Mary retired and lived near her mother for a short time in North Carolina before moving to Florida to live with her son.  She returned to Michigan for health reasons and lived the last four years of her life at MediLodge.  The family would like to thank the staff there for the loving care she received.

In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her brother Paul Lee Johnson, sisters Robin Kathleen Lynch and Glenda Sue Harrington, and grandson Dylan James Scroggins.

In addition to her children, Mary is survived by her sisters Patsy Johnson, Judy Johnson, and Jacqueline Martin, grandson Samuel Clifton Scroggins, granddaughter Sarah Kay Bellflower, and numerous nieces and nephews.  A private service will be held for Mary at a later date.