Mary Frances Tovar's Obituary
Mary Frances Tovar passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of Saturday, December 23, 2023 at age 89. The eighth of eleven children born to Bessie Hampton and Cooper Ashby Jenkins, Mary was born on February 27, 1934 in Culpeper and was raised by her aunt and uncle Mary and Fred Jenkins of Slate Mills, VA.
Mary was valedictorian of her high school class at Culpeper County High School. At the time, Mary received the most scholarships and achievement awards (both academic and athletic) of any graduating senior in the school’s history.
Mary moved to Arizona in the 1960’s with her husband Fermin Tovar and devoted herself to raising her family. Once her daughter reached school age, Mary embarked on a second career as a real estate agent in Arizona, working tirelessly to ensure that every family she worked with found the affordable home they deserved. Upon the death of her husband in 1986, Mary transitioned to her next career as a purchasing agent with the State of Arizona. Mary retired from the State of Arizona in 1993 and moved back to Virginia.
In her retirement, Mary’s focus returned to caring for her family. She spent countless hours taking siblings to medical appointments and helping them navigate the intricacies of the healthcare system, as well as caring for her eldest son and providing wise advice and counsel to her children and grandchildren without judgement or criticism. One of Mary’s greatest sources of pride were her grandchildren and the incredible adults they have become, filled with loving families, entrepreneurial spirit, and dogged pursuits of higher education. Her greatest wish was that they would continue to honor her memory by loving and caring for one another and working tirelessly to turn their dreams into reality.
Mary is predeceased by her parents and by her beloved son, Greg Mudery. Her marriages to John Marvin Garr, Boles John Mudery and Herbert Hash all ended in divorce. In addition to her husband Fermin Tovar, Mary is also predeceased by her siblings, Elizabeth Jenkins (Gid), Tom Jenkins, Dolly Fincham (Aubrey), John Jenkins (Ethel), Virginia Winn (Harvey), Ashby Jenkins (Ivy), Jesse Jenkins (Beatrice), Florine Hitt (Jim), Irvin Jenkins (Georgianne), Ethel (Peggy) Wayland (Johnny) and George Jenkins (Margaret).
Mary leaves behind to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Maria Tovar, with whom she lived; her cherished son, Michael (Kiz); her granddaughter, Oren, her grandsons, Talon (Heather), Revoc and Keegan Tovar; and her three great-grandchildren, Thane, Talia and Tennyson Tovar. Mary is also survived by her sister, Anna Covington (Clinton) of Culpeper, and numerous nieces and nephews, including a very special niece and nephew, Joyce and Tommy Brown.
In accordance with Mary’s wishes, all services will be private.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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