BELKNAP, Ill. — Ms. Mary Frances Lauderdale Davidson of Belknap, Ill., went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at the age of 88.

Mary was born on March 21, 1924, in Grinnell, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2012, at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis, Ill., with the Rev. Gerald Cain officiating. Burial will follow at the Metropolis Memorial Gardens.

Mary was married to Paul Davidson on February 26, 1949, in Clay County, Ark. She was employed by the State of Illinois at Fort Massac Boys Camp where she was known as a great cook. Her love and personality touched and influenced the lives of everyone she came in contact with whether it be at work, church, while camping or traveling. She enjoyed all the blessings God had sent her way. She attended Anderson Congregational Church.

She will be greatly missed, but her love will continue in our hearts and memories.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary J. House; one son, Sam Castleman and wife Judy; one niece, Janice Hemphill; six grandchildren, Cathy Collins and husband Kevin, Brad Castleman and wife Kelley, Kelly House, Sammy Castleman and wife Sally, Kevin Castleman and wife Trish, and Shelly Gould and husband Tom; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; several nieces and nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Davidson; her parents, Giss and Ola (Hertter) Lauderdale; one son, Bill Castleman; three brothers, Joyce (Goober) Lauderdale, Sammy Lauderdale, and infant brother, Edward Lauderdale; and two sisters, Marguerite Schmidt and Dorothy Kilpatrick.

Friends may call at the Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2012.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Ballard, Carol Ballard, Mike Stepter, Darron Searles, Gerald Searles and Tim Winding.