Mary Emma (Vinson) Hendrix

IN MEMORY OF: Mary Emma (Vinson) Hendrix Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – CAPE GIRARDEAU 829 North West End Boulevard, Cape Girardeau, Missouri Mary Emma (Vinson) Hendrix, age 93, passed away suddenly at home on August 20, 2025, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born on September 16, 1931, at Brewers Lake near Wyatt, Missouri, the daughter of the late Virgil and Marie (Franklin) Vinson of Charleston, Missouri. On November 22, 1961, she married Paul Allen Hendrix at the First Christian Church in Charleston, and they remained devoted to one another until his passing in 2016. Paul was the son of the late Rev. Francis and Clara (Montgomery) Hendrix of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. From a young age, Mary worked at Berkstaller’s Country Store in Wyatt, where she began by selling candy and eventually became the store manager in her early twenties. Over the years, she also held positions at First Security State Bank, Charleston, Missouri; Siefert’s clothing store and her husband’s CPA firm in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mary attended grade school in Wyatt and graduated from Charleston High School where she was called “Snookie” by her family and childhood friends. She was also affectionately called “Grandmom” and “Mae Mae” by her grandchildren. A longtime member of Abbey Road Christian Church (formerly First Christian Church), Mary was also a former member of the Kimbeland Country Club, active member of the Red Hat Society – Cape Girardeau Chapter and volunteered at local hospitals. She loved staying active — bowling, dancing, playing cards, and must have played 28,623 games of solitaire on her computer. She had a passion for music, especially Elvis Presley and Engelbert Humperdink. Mary never met a stranger; she loved to socialize, share stories, and laugh at a good joke; although she could never remember the punch line of her own jokes which made the jokes even more humorous. She is survived by her children: D. Vinson Hendrix of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Frank B. Hendrix of Wilmington, Delaware; and Paula J. Hendrix of Hockessin, Delaware. She is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Paul Allen. Family and friends may visit on Saturday, September 27 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service at 11:00am with Pastor Mary Ann Heinsman officiating, immediately followed by a lunch reception at the Crain Funeral Home at 829 N. West End Blvd, Cape Girardeau. A private interment will be held on a later date at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Charleston, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Abbey Road Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Rd, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, and Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, 180 Weston Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Mary Emma (Vinson) Hendrix

September 16, 1931 - August 20, 2025