Mary Ann Cutforth, 86, a loving wife, mother, and retired registered nurse, of Valdosta, Georgia, passed from this life on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after a brief time at Fellowship Home in Brooks County, Georgia.

Mary was born on June 4, 1939, in Streator, Illinois and was the youngest of three siblings raised on a farm by her young, widowed mother. Her mother acted as a strong, independent role model, managing their 160 acre family farm near Wenona, Illinois. She was raised as a Lutheran.

After earning a three-year diploma, Mary graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria, Illinois. Soon after that, she tested for and earned her Registered Nursing license.

Mary met her husband, Richard Cutforth at a Methodist Nursing School dance. She became an Air Force wife, after a 3 year courtship, marrying Richard in 1962. Together they toured the world serving at Air Force bases in Texas, Germany, Ohio, Guam, Arkansas, Illinois, and ultimately in 1982, God’s providential blessing finally brought them to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, where they eventually started their retirement. Mary relished the role of a military wife and homemaker, and worked part time for a number of years as a home health nurse in Valdosta. She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed helping and bringing comfort to all while nursing.

Mary leaned into southern culture, loving to watch Atlanta Braves baseball and bluegrass music. She and Richard traveled to many bluegrass festivals in their RV, and spent many summers at the family farm in Adams County, Illinois. She was also a great cook and found peace and pleasure in jogging, long walks, and reading. She was a member of Park Avenue Church.

Survivors are her husband of 63 years, Richard E. Cutforth, her sons, Richard E. Cutforth II of Valdosta and his wife, Jan, of Davenport, Florida, Charles E. Cutforth and his wife, Dina, of Brunswick, daughter, Michelle Wells and her husband, Derek, of Matthews, North Carolina; a sister, Geraldine Evenson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Crendon Cutforth, Melinda and Frank Lopez, Chase Cutforth, Cameron Cutforth, Kate, Caroline, and Drew Wells; sister in law, Doris Newman of Quincy, Illinois; nieces, Laurel Niska and Missy Starkey, nephews, Larry Flesburg and Erik Evenson.

Mrs. Cutforth was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Rudolph Flesburg and Vera Hylin Flesburg and her brother, Ted Flesburg.

A memorial service will be held on Friday at 3:00 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home chapel. Rev. Derek Wells will lead the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice, in her name.