Mary Cartwright, aged 85, passed away peacefully at home on September 6, 2026. She was born on November 23, 1940, in Gaskin Florida to Daisy Wilkerson Holley Bartlett and Woodrow Wilson Holley.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Walton County, Florida, leaving only for a few years as a young Army bride to travel the world. At 19 years old, as a young Army wife stationed in Germany, she obtained her driver’s license driving the Autobahn in Germany. She lived in Germany twice where her youngest child, Stephanie was born, Columbus Georgia twice where her oldest son Jimmy was born, Massachusetts where her oldest daughter Kathy was born, Oklahoma where her second daughter Cissy was born. She returned to Walton County in the late sixties while her husband served in Vietnam War.

Mary loved gardening, fishing off her dock, and making quilts for the new babies in the family, but her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family doting on her grandchildren and taking them on fun outings throughout their childhood.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James (Jim) Cartwright, mother, Daisy Bartlett, father, Woodrow Wilson Holley, stepfather, Oscar Bartlett, brothers, Jimmy and Wilson Holley and sisters, Lois Barley and Joyce Carroll, son Jimmy Carroll, daughter, Kathy Laird, and father of her children, Dearon Carroll.

She is survived by daughters, Cynthia Forrester, Stephanie Bailey (Mack), son-n-law, Ralph Laird ; grandchildren, Mikey Carroll (Heather), Jessica Peterson (Adam), Dylan Laird (Alex), Jenna Bailey, Ella Forrester; great grandchildren, Zander, Athan, Lael, Ariel, Jeiel, Jay, and Drake, and numerous nieces including Tina, Lisa, Amy, and Heather who hold a special place in her heart as well as her life-long best friend, Carol Dixon who she loved like a sister.

Receiving of friends will be held 2:00-3:00 PM, Friday, September 18, 2026 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, September 18, 2026 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Adam Peterson officiating.