Mary Elizabeth Peacock Tharp passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026 at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison, Ms. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 19th from 9-10am, with the funeral service beginning at 10 at Pine Forest Baptist Church in Stewart, MS. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Bro. Dale May will officiate.

Mary was a woman who had no problem telling you what she thought, whether you were one of her students in school or one of the three children she raised. Her red hair gave a subtle nod to her (at times) fiery temper, but she was never unjustified if she got angry. She loved her family and loved her children, but nothing compared to the special connection she shared with her husband, Woodie.

She found joy in wandering the aisles of a department store hunting down a deal or relaxing with her favorite book. Mary was an accomplished woman, having made the decision to go back to school after becoming a mother, she instilled the importance of dedication in her children. She attended Mississippi Delta Junior College, then went on to Delta State University, where she earned her master’s degree in library science in 1975. From there, she went on to teach English and serve as the librarian at Western Line School District until she retired.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Joe L Peacock and Mary Idell May Peacock; her husband, Woodie Tharp; her son, Tony Tharp; brothers and sisters, William Peacock, Edna Mae Hazzard, and Lonzo Peacock.

She leaves behind a legacy of two children, Suann Bennett (Gregg), and Tim Tharp (Mandy); daughter-in-law, Jonie Tharp; eight grandchildren, Lyle Bennett (Crystal), Meredith Crocker (Trey), Mary Beth Tharp, Hayden Sullivan, Caroline Grace Tharp, Davis Tharp, Hannah Jo Sullivan, and John Michael Stockton; five great grandchildren, Mary Madilynn, Mallory Jo Bennett, Tripp Bennett, Hunter Tharp, Anna Crocker, and Olivia Crocker;

Serving as pallbearers will be: Tripp Bennett, Lyle Bennett, Hayden Sullivan, Davis Tharp, Peyton Lott, Mark Hazzard, and John Michael Stockton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Hazzard and Charles Hazzard. 

Ott and Lee Funeral Home of Brandon is honored to serve the Tharp family.