Mary Lou Prince Stover

Mary Lou Prince Stover, 91, of Dyersburg, Tennessee died on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Oakwood Community Living Center in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

Born Thursday, August 2, 1934, in Ridgely, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Prince and the late Ozie Jones Prince. 

Mary Lou attended Cloverdale School and proudly graduated with the Class of 1952. She was first married to Lathan Sowell, and from this union they were blessed with three daughters: Donna Sowell, Theresa Sowell Gilliam, and Kim Sowell Whitson.

On June 19, 1969, Mary Lou married Carmon Stover. Together, they spent most of their married life in Ridgely, Tennessee, before later making their home in Dyersburg. Through this marriage, Mary Lou lovingly gained additional children: Darlene Stover Fultz, Jeff Stover, and Brent Stover.

Mary Lou devoted her entire career to the banking industry, where she was known for her professionalism, kindness, and friendly demeanor. She retired in 1996, from Security Bank in Dyersburg, Tennessee, as a valued employee who formed many lasting friendships with both customers and fellow employees.

She was well known for her delicious chocolate pies, which became a cherished tradition at family gatherings and special occasions. Mary Lou was a faithful member of Minnick Bible Church in the Minnick Community, where her faith guided her throughout her life.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nursing staff and CNAs at Oakwood Community Living Center and to Caris Hospice Services for the compassionate care and kindness shown to Mrs. Stover and her family. A very special thanks is also extended to her devoted caregiver, Faye Cooper, whose unwavering support, dedication, and loving care meant more than words could ever express.

Funeral services for Mrs. Stover will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 19, 2025, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating this service will be Rev. Tyler Neely. Interment will follow in Minnick Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.

She is survived by three daughters, Kim Whitson (Allen) of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Donna Sowell of Dyersburg, Tennessee and Theresa Gillian (Billy) of Dyersburg, Tennessee; step-daughter, Darlene Fultz (Chad) of Obion, Tennessee; two step-sons, Jeff Stover of Paducah, Kentucky and Brent Stover of Union City, Tennessee; one sister Patsy McBride of  Ridgely, Tennessee and one brother, Truman Prince (Brenda) of Hornbeak, Tennessee and she was "MaMaw" to her six grandchildren, Jennifer Bargery Boyd (Tyler) of Ringgold, Georgia, Kirt Bargery (Kelley) of Troy, Tennessee, Megan Barker (Shane) of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Seth Whitson of Arlington, Tennessee, Ivy Belew (Monte) of Paris, Tennessee, Peyton Stover (Ali) of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Avery Stover of Jacksonville, Florida and five great-grandchildren, Brady Boyd, Claire Boyd, Kenneth Bargery, Woods Rogers and Walker Rogers.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, of fifty-six years, Carmon Stover; five sisters, Faye Prince Barton, Betty Sheffield, Mavourneen Prince, Rachel Prince Bryant and Pauline Prince Bryant and five brothers, Jones Prince, Coy Prince Elvin Prince, Aaron Prince and David Prince

Honoring Mrs. Stover as pallbearers will be her beloved family members, Allen Whitson, Seth Whitson, Kirt Bargery, Kenneth Bargery, Tony Prince, and Roger McBride.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mary Lou Prince Stover.

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