On April 7, 2021, Mary Alice Krall Essex of Batesville, Indiana, (formerly of San Diego, CA) left this world to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born September 7, 1933 in Preble County, Ohio, to Bertram and Mildred Krall. She spent her early adult years in the US Navy. She was a stay at home Mom once her children arrived, but returned to the work place once they were all school age.  She had a lengthy career working for the City of El Cajon, CA as dispatcher for the Police and Fire Departments. She retired from NOSC in Pt. Loma, California. In 2003 she and her husband, Gary, moved to SE Indiana.

Most of the time you could find Mary working in her garden and tending to her plants, along with spending time on her riding mower. She kept a lovely home and took pride in how she looked. Dresses, shoes and silly socks were her favorite.  Mary was very devoted to her dogs, Max and the two Tobys. Hiking in Pine Valley, CA with her   husband and dogs was one of her favorite past times too.

She is survived by her husband Gary Essex, whom she married in 1982.  Gary's love for her was boundless. He took his marriage vows as sacred, for better or for worse, by caring for her to her end, at home,  as she suffered with dementia.

She is survived by her six children, Victoria Lynn Lewis (Steve), Robin Gail Hanson (Dave), Dawn Melissa Brown (Bill) and Wendy Hope Watson   Morris (Jerry), Dawn Christine Tinker (Phil), Dixine Kathleen King, her sister-in-law, Dawn Lawrence (Albert) and ex-daughter-in-law, Terri Aguirre. She was predeceased by her son, Alan Bates, her son-in-law, Michael Watson and her granddaughter, Erin Watson.

She was a fun loving, devoted and very active Grandma to her grandchildren.  They are Shannon Brady (Jason), Jeffrey Lewis, Jesse Hanson (Ashley), Andrew Bates, Jonathan Bates (Jessica), Mary Lawrence (Jonathan), Devon Watson (Joe Ochs), Alice Claxton (Chuck), William Brown Jr. (Emily), Luke Tinker (Hillarey), Amanda Tinker and Larry King.  She also was Aunt Mary Alice to several nieces and nephews. She was later blessed by the arrival of 26 great grandchildren.

Even though her final years were marred by dementia, her happiness, cheerfulness, silliness, playfulness and love for each of us never waned.  She has impacted our lives forever.  As a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandma and Great Grandma, she will  be missed terribly.

A private Celebration of Life will be held.

You are welcome to leave a message here on Mary's obituary page for the family in the online guestbook.