MaryAnn "Merney" Hodge Fisher

She was born November 23rd, 1930 and grew up in Jackson Tennessee. It was from her much adored, big brother, Jim, that she got the name “Merney”, as well as her love of nature and scouting. She developed her lifelong love of reading and sewing from her librarian and home economics teacher mother, Laverne; her dazzling smile, twinkling eyes, and keen sense of humor - gifts from her dentist father, “Red”. Her grandfather, “Big Papa”, an educator, instilled in her a love of learning, but it was “Big Mama”, singing to her hymns as lullabies, like ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’, who sowed her joy for singing praises to the Lord. Merney lifted her voice to the Lord all of her life - beginning with the children’s choir at the First Methodist Church in Jackson, then anchoring the soprano section of the adult choir at Church of the Holy Communion Episcopal in Memphis, and finally joining her voice with the choir at Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis until she could no longer climb the steps into the choir loft. “For the Lord God is my strength and song; and He has become my salvation.”

She attended Jackson Central Highschool where she was acclaimed as a scholar, a beauty, and a friend to all. At Vanderbilt University she became a loyal member of Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity. Other than studying to graduate ‘cum laude’, she thoroughly enjoyed collegiate life - choral, stage, and a lot of jitter-bugging.

After marrying, Merney moved to New York City pursuing a career as a Conover model; wowing with her bright, expressive eyes, radiant smile, and Southern charm. She could be seen in print and television ads for such companies as Singer and Ivory, and even as a glamorous spokesmodel on the Jackie Gleason Show. She was also called to appear in person as Miss NYC Home Show, to welcome ships for Navy Fleet Week, or to be a pretty face on gameshows where she surprised with her intelligent answers.

As glamorous as that life was, it was after returning to Memphis that she began her greatest life’s work – motherhood. Not just a mother to Billy and Melanie, she was a den mother, Brownie and Girl Scout mother, room mother, choir mother, Sunday School mom, team mom, stage mom, Ole Miss mom, and finally “Grandmommy”. She nurtured so many of us; stitching costumes, wiping tears, encouraging.

Merney found time to volunteer with many civic, service, and cultural organizations. As president of the Memphis Theta Alumnae in1964, she led the petition to become a chapter alongside ladies who would truly become her “sisters for a lifetime” – Jeanne, Edwinna, Margie, Farron, Jodi, Jamie. For 60 years they made cookbooks, sold tulips, and supported local college chapters while also loving each other through the ups and downs of their lives, as sisters do.

With her dearest friend and sister, Mary Lawrence, Merney worked with Chapter F of PEO to support education for women, particularly the International Peace Scholarship Project. She had a passion for numerous Christian charities benefitting children around the world. She filled her days with reading, Bible Study, sewing, travel, water aerobics, square dancing – always singing, loving her family, friends, and her God, and lighting up any room with her beautiful smile.

MaryAnn is predeceased by her parents, James Lee & Lana Laverne Harris Hodge, and by her brother, Jim Hodge (Mae). She is survived by her son William H. Fisher IV, her daughter, Melanie Fisher Rice (Kirk), and her granddaughters, Mary Lana Rice (Seth Sengel), Kyra Duffley (Jake), and Miranda Fisher Rice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930.

“Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”