Mary Lou Tuggle Roark

Mary Lou Tuggle Roark, 84, of Gainesville, Georgia, formerly of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, passed away on May 31, 2022, of natural causes.

Mary Lou was born on July 30, 1937, to Nina Thompson Tuggle and James A. (Jimmy) Tuggle, in Cadiz, Kentucky.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her husband, John A. Roark; parents, Jimmy and Nina Tuggle; sister, Linda Tuggle Biggs; daughter, Ruth Anne Roark Stewart; and grandson, Taylor White Roark.

Survivors include her daughters, Jana Waters (Syd) Brown, Oakwood, GA and Trina Waters, Tarpon Springs, FL; sons, John (Beth) Roark, Jr., Murray, KY, Daniel (Kelly) Roark, New Iberia, LA, David Roark, Brentwood, TN; and grandchildren, William Brown, Sidney Brown, John Roark, III, Daniel C. Roark, Jr., Nathaniel Roark; nieces and nephews, Laura Sheehan, Lisa Wolfzorn, Jim Biggs, Jay Biggs, and several great nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Trigg County High School in 1955, she went on to study education at Murray State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She earned her Library of Science degree at George Peabody College in Nashville. Although she lived in Hopkinsville most of her adult life, Cadiz was always home.

After graduation, Mary Lou was employed as a teacher and most notably, a librarian in the Trigg County and Christian County School Systems. She retired in 1990.

Mary Lou was active in her homemaker’s club, quilter’s club, and Alpha Delta Kappa-Alpha Nu Chapter, where she was recognized as a Sapphire Sister. She served 25-1/2 years in the Colonel John Green Chapter, NSDAR. During her membership she held roles as the State Chair DAR Magazine, Chapter Honorary Regent, Chapter Librarian, Chapter Regent, and Chapter First Vice Regent. Mary Lou was also active with the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of First Christian Church in Hopkinsville and a previous member of Cadiz Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be at Goodwin Funeral Home, 138 Main Street in Cadiz, at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 4, 2022, with Rev. Brad Chalfin officiating. Burial will follow in East End Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

Memorial contributions can be made to Colonel John Green Chapter NSDAR, c/o Cheryl Dossett, P.O. Box 81, Elkton, KY 42220.