Mary Frances Waring Denton, 88, loving mother and grandmother and faithful friend, beheld her Jesus face-to-face in all of His glory on Wednesday, August 29. Services are scheduled for Saturday, September 1 at Christ Life Church of the Highlands in Ridgeland at 3pm with visitation beginning at 1pm. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson. The service will be live streamed on Christ Life's Facebook page.

Mary was born on February 2, 1930 to Katherine Dornbusch Waring and D.P. Waring, Sr. in Vicksburg. She grew up as one of eight children, four loving brothers and four beautiful "Waring girls." After graduating from Carr Central High School she attended the University of Mississippi where she was a cheerleader, a class favorite, vice president of the Women's Athletic Association, and a member of Chi Omega fraternity. In 1950, she served as Vicksburg's Miss Hospitality.

She was a natural entertainer and liked to keep the conversation lively, sharing funny stories, snippets of information and her opinion on a wide variety of topics. She particularly enjoyed, even at 88, demonstrating to family and friends that she could still kick up her legs and do a full cheerleader split.

In 1956 she married Henry Lee "Bo" Denton and together they had four daughters, Kathy, Kris, Mary, and Amy. She delighted in the athletic and artistic pursuits of her children, supporting them in their endeavors throughout her life. One of her great joys was supporting and volunteering at Ballet Magnificat, an internationally recognized Christian ballet ministry founded by her daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Keith Thibodeaux. She was lovingly referred to as "Mamaw" by everyone at Ballet Mag and her home served as a "home away from home" to numerous dancers.

Mary taught physical education at Murrah High School and Manhattan Academy and retired in 1992 from the Mississippi State Welfare Department. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Jackson where she enjoyed singing in the Reflections Senior Adult choir.

Mary is survived by three daughters, Kathy Denton Thibodeaux (Keith) of Madison, Kris Denton Jarvis (Eddie) of Ridgeland, and Mary Frances (Little Mary) Denton of Jackson; three grandchildren, Tara Thibodeaux Drew (Bryce) of Nashville, Christopher Beau Smith of Jackson, and Kelly Jarvis Johnson (Nick) of Madison; and one great grandson, Bryson Drew, of Nashville. She is also survived by her sister Nancy Redmond (Tom) of Tampa, sisters-in-law Lee Waring (D.P.) and Laura Waring (Albert) of Vicksburg, brother-in-law Robert "Bobby" Denton (Rita) of Vero Beach, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary Frances is predeceased by "Bo" Denton, her daughter Amy Elizabeth Denton, her brothers, D.P., Bobby, Albert, and Jimmy Waring, and her sisters, Betty Waring Aden (Bunny), Katherine "Sis" Waring Hughes Silver (Jerry), and her sisters-in-law, Betty Jean Waring (D.P.) and Nell Waring (Bobby).

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Karen Grimes, the angel who loved and cared for her in her final days and to Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ballet Magnificat, 5406 I-55 North, Jackson, MS 39211.