Mary Nell Trent

Mary Nell Wilson Trent’s chariot came to take her home to be with her precious sister, mother and father and her dearest friends on Nov. 21, 2024 at her home in Athens, GA. Her life of great adventures began in Newport, AR on May 22, 1945. Born to the most kind and gracious people, Morris and Mary Alice Wilson, Mary Nell spent her early years in her beloved home town of Newport with her sister Diane, cherished family, friends and cast of small town characters. She attended the First Christian Church of Newport, Newport High School and Arkansas State University. In 1964 Mary Nell left her small town for the big lights of Memphis, TN where she worked at Memphis Medical Center, then off to even greater adventures when she joined Delta Airlines as a flight attendant. Many Nell spent the magical years of the late 1960s flying across the country and experiencing all the world had to offer. During these years she met a handsome medical student, Bill, and a new chapter of her life would begin.

In 1970 Mary Nell and Bill were married and she flew across the globe as a proud Air Force wife stationed in Europe. In 1973 the Air Force brought Mary Nell and Bill back to the states to live in Memphis TN and in 1974 they welcomed their daughter Mary Elizabeth. The Air Force took Mary Nell and Bill to many bases they called home over the next 30 years and introduced many cherished friendships. In 2010 Mary Nell and Bill retired to Athens GA to live close to their family.

Mary Nell’s greatest chapter was that of being “Goldie” to her darling granddaughter, Madeline. Their time spent together was Mary Nell’s greatest joy. Not a precious minute was wasted traveling to sports events, attending school events, Friday after school pick ups, slumber parties, spring flower planting, Disney trips, kitchen adventures, holiday decorating, and later, when Madeline was the one behind the wheel, Starbucks runs. They were quite a pair.

Mary Nell never missed a moment. She never said no to an opportunity. She was always up for anything. Even as her body tried to hold her back, Mary Nell was tough as nails and never passed up an adventure to live her life to the fullest. She dressed to the nines, literally until her last day, with lipstick and her pearl earrings. She loved her lattes and antique shopping and never missed a college football game day. She adored her cats and wasn’t afraid to steal yours if you weren’t looking. She even learned to tolerate cilantro if her son in law, Eli, was the chef. Many Nell was a Steel Magnolia through and through.

Mary Nell was preceded in death by her mother and father, Morris and Mary Alice Wilson and her sister Diane Barrick. She is survived by her husband Bill Trent, her daughter Mary Elizabeth Trent (Eli Solomon) and her granddaughter Madeline Solomon of Athens, GA, Brother in law, Phil Barrick of Schertz, TX, Sister in law, Barbara Huffman (David) of Marietta, GA and her cherished and loved adopted family of Leander and Geneva Justice, Neva, Annette, Pat and Wavel Justice.

We would like to thank Kesha Oglesby, Angela Blackwell, Kisha Cunningham and Alisha Allen for their excellent care and support shown to us all. We also thank the angels at Bristol Hospice for their superb care and support. To honor her wishes there will be no service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to your local animal shelter. 

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com