Mary Evelyn Sorrells Keating

Mary Evelyn Sorrells Keating, age 96, passed away Sunday evening, August 3, 2025, at Azalea Commons in Batesville, MS.

The family will be celebrating her life 10:00 A.M. Wednesday morning, August 6, 2025, at Curtis Union Church with a time of visitation beginning at 9:00. A.M. Following her celebration, she will be laid to rest in Curtis Union Cemetery.

Mary Evelyn was born September 27, 1928, in the Curtis Lock Station Community near Batesville, MS to the late VanBuran and Mary Frances Hopper Sorrells.

She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Batesville, MS, where she formerly taught Sunday School. While in high school, she excelled in the game of basketball. Mary Evelyn was a loving and caring wife and mother. She raised three daughters but also was a cattle farmer that loved all types of animals. In the early 1970’s, Mary Evelyn was an inaugural school board member of the former West Panola Academy and was the only lady on the board for numerous years to follow.

She leaves her legacy with her daughter, Linda Keating Parker (Steve) of Asheville, NC and her son-in-law, Rod Rodriguez of Westport, CT.

Along with her parents, Mary Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Dawson Keating; two daughters, Patsy Keating and Jane Keating Rodriguez; two sisters, Agnes Bourdette, Janie Evans and one brother, James “Brother” Sorrells.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Curtis Union Church or North Delta School.