Mary A. (Handy) Bednar

Mary A. Bednar was born May 23, 1926 in Cohoma, Mississippi to Mark and Elizabeth Handy. grew up in Belzoni, Mississippi with her brother Mark Handy who preceded her in death.

Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at age nine and was baptized at Belzoni Chapel M. B. Church by Rev. L. R. Chandler. She had a son, Melvin Handy who preceded her in death.

She married Miller Anderson and they moved to Chicago, Illinois. To this union was born three children, daughter Delores Jean, sons, Ronny Carl and Miller Raneal. The family united with Brotherly Love Baptist Church were Mary was a faithful member for 49 years working with the Mission Society and Progressive Young Women.

Mary had a love for learning and a lifelong dream to become a teacher. Growing up in the south she was not privileged to complete her high school education. However, while serving as a teacher’s aide in the Chicago Public School she went to night school and obtained her GED. She attended Loop, Jr. College and obtained an Associate’s Degree. While attending Loop Junior College Mary met William (Bill) Bednar her math tutor. They married July 27, 1986 and moved to Hoffman Estates, Illinois where they united with First Baptist Church of Palatine renamed New Hope Community Church in January 2000.

 Mary completed her education at National Lewis University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education. Her educational dream realized, she taught kindergarten through 3rd grade at Herzl Elementary School then began work on her master’s at Roosevelt University majoring in Special Education. After ten years she retired from the Chicago Public School system.

Mary was a loving wife and a mother passionately devoted to making sure her family had the very best life had to offer.

Mary went home to be with her Lord May 14, 2017 at 1:04 PM. She leaves to mourn her passing, Husband Bill, Daughter, Delores (Clark) Turner, Sons: Ronny Carl (Gwen) and Miller (Patricia) Anderson, Granddaughter, Kim (Kelly) Foxx, Grandsons, Steven, Lucius (Anna), Kevin (Delores) Ronny C.,  Aaron, Brian, Christopher, Melvin, Jr, Great grandson, Maurice and Great granddaughters, Monica, Kai and Kendall.

 Service Information