Mary Belle Suber,

Mary Belle Stephenson Ervin Suber, 93, of Ridgeland, a former longtime resident of Crystal Springs, died on November 22, 2012 at Hospice Ministries, Inc. in Ridgeland. Born in Lexington, MS, on October 5, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert Mills Stephenson and Frances Nabors Stephenson. Mary Belle grew up in Lexington, MS, and graduated from Lexington High School. It was during her youth that she developed a lifelong love of music and language. In 1941, she graduated with honors from Belhaven College, where she received a BA degree with a major in English and minors in piano and French and was a member of the yearbook staff.On September 1, 1941, Mary Belle married Julian Millsaps Ervin of Crystal Springs. When Julian served his country overseas as a US Marine during World War II and the Korean Conflict, Mary Belle managed his farming interests in Crystal Springs. A clever wordsmith, she entered various national writing contests as a young lady and was successful with her slogans for products, even winning a new car for a jingle she created for Chiffon soap. After the war, the couple made their home in Crystal Springs, where they were active members of the community and their churches, Crystal Springs United Methodist Church and Wesley Southern Methodist Church. For decades, Mary Belle, a gifted musician, played the piano and organ at church services and for countless weddings. A devout Christian, she taught Sunday school classes and led Bible studies for over 50 years. She was a member of numerous civic organizations, including the Copiah Chapter DAR, of which she served as Regent; the Crystal Springs Garden Club, the PTA of Crystal Springs Consolidated School, serving as President; and the MacDowell Music Club. For over 40 years, Mary Belle enjoyed teaching piano, organ, guitar and accordion to her many pupils. She also had the unique ability of being able to play by ear any melody she heard, and she frequently wrote songs for the young people of her church to sing in choir and vacation Bible school. Beloved by the hundreds of students she taught, she instilled in them a love of music while also nurturing their individual talents and growth. Following the death of Brig. General (Ret.) Ervin in 1981, she married a high school sweetheart, Lewis Terry Suber, who had grown up in Durant, MS, and who also had recently become a widower. Until his death in 1984, she and Terry divided their brief but happy years together between their two homes, spending winters in Crystal Springs, MS, and summers in Fort Collins, CO.In 2001 Mary Belle moved to Ridgeland to The Orchard, where she became reacquainted with many childhood and college friends also living there and made many new friends among the residents and staff.As a loving and caring mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, she leaves to cherish her memory: three daughters, Dr. Julie Ervin Sharp of Hendersonville, TN, Joy Ervin Milam and husband Kenneth Milam of Jackson, MS, and Ruthie Ervin of Hillsborough, NC; three grandsons, Brenan Sharp of Chicago, IL, Julian Rankin of Jackson, MS, and Alexander Rankin of Hillsborough, NC; three nieces and one nephew.She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. R. M. Stephenson; her husbands, Brig. General (Ret.) Julian Millsaps Ervin and Terry Suber; and brother, Rev. R. M. Stephenson, Jr.A sweet Southern lady, Mary Belle will be remembered for her warmth and wit, her beauty and charm, her strong Christian faith, and her love of family, friends and the many pets and animals for whom she was passionate about rescuing and providing good homes. The family wishes to express their gratitude to her caregivers, Tammie Hayes, Phyllis McCaskill and Bobbie Fort, for their care and kindness and to Hospice Ministries, Inc. of Ridgeland for their compassion and assistance. A celebration of her life will be at Stringer Family Funeral Services in Crystal Springs on Tuesday, November 27 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Crystal Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Wesley Southern Methodist Church, 415 Fulghan Avenue, Crystal Springs, MS 39059 or Hospice Ministries, Inc., 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157. ,

Mary Belle Suber,

October 5, 1919 - November 22, 2012

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Mary Belle Suber,

October 5, 1919 - November 22, 2012

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