Mary K. Ensley

Mary Katherine “Tootsie” Howell Ensley, 89, a life-long resident of Cleveland, TN, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 17, 2022. 

Tootsie was a member of Big Spring Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, devoted time to the church library and participated in the Senior Adult ministry. She was passionate about her faith in God, and she enjoyed playing the piano and organ at home and church, and listening to gospel music. Tootsie enjoyed being outdoors tending her flower and vegetable gardens. An avid traveler, she enjoyed trips to the beach, historical cities and the mountains. She was so creative and could never stay idle. It was typical for her to have multiple projects going at once, whether it was hand-stitching a quilt, landscaping her property, or painting. She was always quick to think of and create any device to make life more efficient. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Margie (Bacon) Howell; the love of her life, James N. “J.N.”  Ensley, Jr.; beloved son, James N. “Jimmy” Ensley, III; sisters, Minnie Howell, Reba Lawson, Helen Campbell, Dorothy Gates, and Nellie Belcher; brothers, Robert “Bob” Howell, Ira “Bud” Howell, and Randall Howell.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Harry Williams of Cleveland; granddaughters, Lori King and Keri King of Cleveland; great-grandchildren, Maranda Bynum of Hixson, Matthew Bynum and Rylan Barbina of Cleveland; great-great-grandchildren Cooper Beck and Adaline Beck; sister-in-law, Shelby Collins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A remembrance of life will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory.  Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Matthew Bynum, Rylan Barbina, James Bynum, Adam Donegan, Caleb Donegan and Rick Donegan serving as pallbearers.  A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2pm prior to service at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Ensley family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.