Mary Elizabeth Flexser

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Preston Fling Dilley Flexser went home to be with her Lord on Friday evening, February 27, 2026. She was born on January 19, 1926, in Bowling Green, Kentucky to her late parents, Charles Edward Preston and Addie Jane Price Preston.

Mary’s mother passed away when she was 11 years old, and her father passed when she was 14. She and her brother were taken in by her mother’s sister, Nancy Price Graham, and her husband, Eli Jefferson “Jeff” Graham.

Mary was 6 weeks shy of her 16th birthday when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, and in 1943 she caught the eye of a young soldier on leave from Fort Knox. His name was Frank Richard Fling. They began dating while Frank underwent training for oversea posting to Europe for World War II. Mary also helped the war effort by working in a Defense Factory. Three days after Mary turned 18, she travelled with her uncle, Jospeh Price (her mother’s brother), by bus, to Greenville, South Carolina where Frank was stationed, and she and Frank married on January 22, 1944. Not long after, Frank was transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, and Mary followed.

It was in Jackson, Mississippi, that Frank and Mary attended a Nazarene Tent Revival and both accepted Christ was their Lord and Savior. Both Frank and Mary were faithful Christians and attended church until they were called home to be with the Lord. While Frank was serving in the Army in Europe, Mary gave birth to their first child, a daughter Jane. Others followed: Richard, Judy, Vickie, Jerry, and Karen. Shortly after the birth of Richard, Mary’s brother passed away at the young age of 16, leaving Mary as the last surviving member of her parental family. In 1963, Mary became a grandmother for the first time.

Frank and Mary loved to travel and set a goal to visit each of the 50 states. Sadly, Frank passed away on June 2, 1973, with him and Mary lacking four states. In August 1974, Mary married Oliver Perry Dilley, Jr., who was also widowed. Perry also loved to travel, and he and Mary enjoyed a loving marriage of many years, enjoying many trips to various National Parks. Perry passed away on December 6, 1989, and on December 9, 1995, Mary married a third time to Charles Theron Flexser, a widower. Charles passed away on March 27, 2004, leaving her widowed for the third time. In April 2019, Mary finished her and Frank’s 50 state goal.

In January 2026, Mary celebrated her 100th birthday, surrounded by family and friends. There were six generations present that day. Mary was a wonderful mother, loved by all of her family. Not just her children, but stepchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, down through each generation; all were loved and called her mom and grandma.

On February 22nd, the Sunday before her death, Mary attended her final Sunday morning and evening church services, faithful to the end. She was a true prayer warrior who prayed daily for each family member by name as well as others such as friends and church family. It was always a special feeling knowing that she was praying for you.

In addition to her parents, brother, and husbands, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Richard; daughter, Judy; grandson, Daniel; and great grandson, Gilbert. She is survived by her four children, Gerald “Jerry” Fling (Vicky), Jane Adams (Clayton), Vickie Siders (Dennis), and Karen Taylor (Chris); sons-in-law, Curtis Saunders and William Sonday; 16 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 38 great, great grandchildren; 4 great, great, great grandchildren; and 7 stepchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1:00pm until service time Sunday, March 1st at Open Bible Assembly in McEwen.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Flexser will be conducted at 3:00pm Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Open Bible Assembly in McEwen with Bro. Kent Curtis officiating.

Interment will follow in Crossroads Cemetery in Erin, TN.

Arrangements by Humphreys County Funeral Home (931) 296-5955