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Mary Nell McFall McLaughlin Born in Florence, Alabama to Parker McFall and Selma Smith McFall, Mary attended Coffee High School and what is now the University of North Alabama. She is survived by her sister, Grace Lawson of Florence; sister-in-law, Rose Marie McFall of Florence; numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and by special cousins, Rev. Dr. Richard Mallory and Pamela Mallory of Tucson, Arizona, and by Peter and Janice Reilly of Silver Spring, Maryland. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Edward Daniel ‘Ted’ McLaughlin, Jr.; much loved son, Edward Mallory ‘Teddy’ McLaughlin, and by her parents, 4 sisters and 2 brothers. She stayed close to all her brothers and sisters and their families, but especially to her sister, Frances, whose 35 years career in the U.S. Foreign Service often assigned her to Washington. Frances was especially close to Ted and Mary’s son, Teddy, all his 24 years. Mary began her career in government by working for the U.S. Navy Department in Washington, D.C. and the Internal Revenue Service in Florence. She was on the staff of Senator John Sparkman of Alabama for 2 years. For three years, she lived in Paris, working for one year in the headquarters of the U.S. Military European Command, Public Affairs office, and two years for a Swiss Bank. She returned to the United States, again to the personal staff of Senator Sparkman. From there she served on the staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she spent almost 18 years, first as Assistant to the Chief of Staff, then as Professional Staff Member for Protocol and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs. She traveled to 32 countries when Members of the Senate met with Parliamentarians of those countries. She was privileged to work in the U.S. Capitol Building for 16 years. Her young son would point to the Capitol, or a photo of it, and say “Mommy’s office”. As Protocol Officer, she met many Heads of State and Foreign Ministers. She was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Prince Phillip. Mary modeled for the John Robert Powers Modeling School in D.C. Both she and her husband served on the Administrative Board of Trinity United Methodist Church in McLean, Virginia, where she taught a children’s class. In 1981, Mary worked in the Diplomatic Protocol Section of the Inaugural Committee of incoming President Ronald Reagan. She and her husband attended the first White House Reception given by President and Mrs. Reagan. In 1993, she was a staff member on the Inaugural Committee of incoming President Bill Clinton, with whom she had worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In 1984, she, her husband and son moved to Anniston, Alabama from McLean, Virginia. In Anniston, she served on the Calhoun County Board of Registrars, the Anniston Civil Service Board, and the Anniston High School PTA. She was a member of the Junior League of Anniston/Calhoun County and of two Book Clubs. For two years, she edited the newspaper column which her husband wrote and assisted in editing the monthly bulletin of First United Methodist Church in Anniston. After the death of her husband in 2010, she became President, then Chairman of the Board, of Teddy’s Star-A Foundation for Hope, the Foundation which she and her husband established in 1999 after the death of their son. She has been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Anniston since moving to Anniston in 1984. A memorial service celebrating the life Of Mary McLaughlin will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Anniston’s First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm at the church. Remembrances may be sent to Anniston’s First United Methodist Church, to the Salvation Army in Anniston, to the Anniston Public Library, or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Mrs. Mary Nell McFall McLaughlin

March 21, 1931 - January 17, 2022