Obituary for Mary Belle Lee Paige Mary Paige, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend, passed from the loving arms of her children into the Presence of her Savior and Lord, and back into the arms of her husband of 53 years, Rev. Richard E. Paige on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. Her death followed an illness not of her choosing, but an illness that she bore gracefully and with strength. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dan and Lauren Law Salamanca, New York, son Richard E. Paige II Ruston, LA and son and daughter-in-law, David and Kim Paige Kennesaw, Georgia and “heart son” Lindsay and Donna Anderson Monroe, LA She is also survived by grandson Andy Sadler and Jen Dungan Salamanca, NY, granddaughter LeeAnne Sadler Salamanca, NY and grandson Stephen and Enith Sadler Salamanca, NY. She has five great-grandchildren: Holden, Orlando, Luke, Roman and Shannon. She is also survived by sisters Margaret Simpson and Edna Franklin of Ruston and Barbara and Glenn Kennimer Houston, TX, ten nephews and nieces and multiple great nephews and nieces. She also has numerous relatives from her husband's Paige family in New York and around the United States. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Richard E. Paige Ruston, LA, infant son Andrew Phillip Paige Colorado Springs, CO parents Otto and Gussie Lee Simsboro, LA and brother Wiley Lee Simsboro, LA. “Miss Mary”, as she was affectionately known by so many, left an indelible impression on the people of northeastern Louisiana as both a teacher in several school systems, and as a pastor's wife in numerous churches during the past forty years in Louisiana. She is a Simsboro native, born March 12, 1935, who traveled around the U.S. and Canada with her husband early in their marriage as he served in the United States Air Force. She returned to Louisiana in 1970 where she completed her college degree at Louisiana Tech and became a teacher in the Lincoln Parish School System. She would later serve in Ouachita and Franklin Parishes during her 23 years of teaching. “Miss Mary” also taught numerous Sunday School classes and was loved dearly as the pastor's wife at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Ruston; New Hope Baptist Church, Choudrant; Temple Baptist Church, Monroe; First Baptist Church, Crowville; Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe; and Hico Baptist Church, Hico. She avidly supported Christian education and missions and served when called upon to share her teaching gifts. She and her husband also served as house parents at Happy House in Tallulah for eighteen months, where they were blessed to help many young women through trying times and help them to know the love of God and His power to restore. Mary Paige set an example for those who knew her…an example of faithfulness in marriage…an example of remaining true to her values…an example of hard work with a calm spirit…an example of encouraging others to be and do their best. She ministered to those in need, to those who were hurting and to those who just needed a friend standing by. She will truly be missed by those who knew and loved her. Her children will especially miss her love, strength and encouragement. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Services will be held at Cook Baptist Church on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM with evangelist and best friend Rev. Oda W. “Tuck” Roberts officiating, assisted by Rev. Mike Holloway, pastor of Cook Baptist Church and Rev. Barry Joyner, Concord Baptist Association Director of Missions. Pallbearers include nephews Greg Franklin, Kip Franklin, Todd Franklin, Mike Collie, special friends Mac Ward, Wayne Parker and honorary pall bearer and beloved friend George Green. Her family and friends are thrilled to know that God has answered prayers for her complete healing and she now enters her heavenly reward restored, renewed and refreshed. Thank you to the friends who have made her last days happier with your visits, phone calls, gifts of food and cards. A special thank you to Superior Hospice for loving and professional services provided. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gideon Bible Society or Rolling Hills Ministry of Ruston.