Mary “Boot” Carlisle O’Donnell, age 56, of Montgomery died on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at Baptist Hospital, Montgomery. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Bethel Baptist Church in Troy with the Reverend Dr. Leon Ross officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, November 2, 2012 from 1:00 PM at George F. Grubbs Funeral Home in Troy.

Mary Edna Carlisle was born to the union of Robert Carlisle and Lillie Florence Daniels on April 18, 1956 in Troy, Alabama. Mary was affectionately called “Boot’ by everyone who knew her. She was baptized at an early age at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Troy. She attended Oakland Heights Elementary School, Academy Street and Charles Henderson High Schools.

Mary moved to San Francisco, California in the mid-70’s. She earned a certificate of achievement as a nursing assistant from the McKinney Job Corps Center and completed her program in business at the San Francisco Community College (Bayview-Hunter’s Point) in 1979. During her time at Bayview, she served as president of the Student Congress. Mary began her career as a nursing assistant and later worked in marketing for Star Shipping Company for over 20 years.

Mary met and later married John L. O’Donnell on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1981.

Mary left to be with loved ones who have preceded her – father and mother; husband John; brother, Robert Wayne Carlisle; and two nephews, Jared Carter and Michael Jenkins Carter. She leaves to mourn, those who will love and miss her dearly – her favorite sister, Judy Lynn Hampton (Montgomery, AL), sisters , Annette Whatley (Montgomery), Commie Whatley Carter (Montgomery), and Alicia Whatley (Troy, Al); an aunt, Mary Elizabeth Grimes ; nephews, Gerrod Whatley, Terrence Lerone Carter, Kevin T. Whatley (and spouse Nichole), Derrick Hampton, Terrence LeRon Carter, Malik Arkel Whatley, Jermichael Webb Carter; nieces, Zalika Kamala Roxie Whatley, Haley Alicia Carter, Michaela Nichelle Carter, Emily Carter, and Addison Carter; cousins, Willie J. Feagin, Cassandra Kelly (spouse, Donald and children, Stephanie and Zaccheus) and Francine Flowers Miller (spouse, Kevin and daughter Telicia); special friends Sharon Williams (Troy), Sally Harris (Montgomery), and Kenny Gardner (Prattville); and a host of other cousins, friends, and acquaintances.