Mary Alden Steele

Mrs. Mary A. Steele, age 83 long time resident of DeFuniak Springs passed away at the family residence in the early morning hours of Monday, April 9, 2012. She was born November 3, 1928 in Florala, Alabama the daughter of Joseph and Allie Quick Johnston. White attending Covington County High School she met Don Steele who had transferred from Paxton to play football with the Wildcats. They married when they were both seventeen years old and moved to Tennessee to live with Don’s mother while he worked in a new grocery store, Kroger’s. They returned to this area, later settling in DeFuniak Springs where Don began a thirty year career with Liberty National Life Insurance Company, while Mary remained at home, making a home for her husband and children. Mary’s life revolved around her children, especially their youngest son Ricky, “a special needs child” and Mary saw an immediate need for some type of program in Walton County for such children. She was instrumental in the founding of Arc of Walton County and remained active in the program and made sure other members of her family were active, especially her late son-in-law John Saltsman who served in many capacity until his death in February of this year. Mary enjoyed gardening and reading and since she chose to confine her life, mostly in her home, she proved herself to be the devoted wife and mother she is known to be.

Among survivors are her high school sweetheart and husband, Don Steele. Her children, Tim and wife Barbara, Becky, and Ricky. Her sister, JoAnn Cotton and husband Donald. Her grandchildren, Angela, Patrick, Josh and wife Victoria, Jeremy and wife Laura, Jason and wife Amanda and Tara and husband Michael. Eight great grandchildren also survive.

Floral arrangements are being accepted or memorials may be made in Mary Steele’s memory to Arc of Walton County, Post Office Box 813, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435-0813 or to one’s favorite charity. Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 12, 2012 in the Steele-Saltsman Plot at Magnolia Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. with Dr. Bobby Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot.