Mary Lee Costa, age 73, of Shannon, Alabama, made her way to heaven on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Charles Edward Costa, her parents, William Curtis Sr. & Annie Laura Allen, & her nephew, Michael Gene Wilson, as well as many other loving family members. She is survived by her sister, Anna Faye (Gene) Wilson and her brothers, W.C. (Nina) Allen, Jr., Emmett (Duckie) Allen, & Charlie (Sandra) Allen. She was also survived by her nieces & nephews, Jimmy (Selena) Allen, Denise (Robby) Tibbs, Bill (Samantha) Allen, Mike Allen, Cindy (Greg) Sanders, Sonya Praytor, Greg (Wendy) Allen, & Michelle Allen (Kenneth Hooten), as well as her great nieces and nephews, Chad & Jordan Allen, Allen (Erin), Jake, & David Smith, Rob & Russ Tibbs, Lela Allen, Rob & Josh Allen, Brett, Ryne, & Jack Sanders, Kenna, Miali, Josie, & Scotti Praytor, Brogan & Raelin Allen, Tyler & Lexi Allen.
While Mary Lee did not have children of her own, you would never know it by the many photographs displayed on the walls of her home. She essentially adopted all of her many nieces and nephews and they became hers, as did any other child - young or old. She was a very selfless person, always doing for others. No one wanted for anything if Mary Lee knew about it and she was frequently accused of "spoiling them rotten." She was a faithful member of Shannon First Baptist Church and took great pride in making sure everyone who attended Vacation Bible School was well fed. In addition, she was one of the founders and chief organizers of the annual Shannonite Reunion for those in her close-knit community. She was always on-the-go, ready to help and rarely missing out on anything - just a lot of fun. She was one you always heard before you saw.
Mary Lee graduated from Jones Valley High school. She worked most of her life in the insurance industry and retired from Robinson-Adams Insurance Agency.
Visitation will be at Valhalla Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 5 until 8 p.m. for friends. The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at Valhalla Funeral Home with burial at Valhalla Cemetery. Bro. Tommy Hannah and Bro. Don Maddox will officiate. Her great nephews will have the honor of serving as her pall bearers.
Mary Lee is at home now and we know that her rewards will be many. She loved her family dearly and it was evidenced by the love she was shown in return. She will be missed by us all. We love you Mary Lee; you hold a special place in our hearts.
And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13