Mary Ellen Cason

January 3, 1944 - September 1, 2019

Mary Ellen Cason of Nashville, Tennessee passed away Sunday September 1st, 2019 at her home in Fairview surrounded by friends and family. Born January 3,1944 in Memphis, Mary moved to Nashville with parents Geneva and Albert Cason in 1947 so her father could take a job for The Nashville Tennessean, as it was called at that time. Albert Cason would go on to be the business news editor for the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean for over 35 years. The family settled in the Inglewood neighborhood of Nashville, and Mary graduated from Litton High School in 1962. She attended Belmont College for two years on a singing scholarship, before becoming a wife and mother in 1965. Mary was a fixture in Nashville’s burgeoning 1960’s music scene rubbing elbows with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Mary John Wilkin and Shel Silverstein. She became the inspiration for many songs including ‘Sundown Mary’ recorded by Billy Walker and ‘Dreams of The Everyday Housewife’ recorded by Glen Campbell. She also co-wrote ‘Sad As It Seems’ with Champ Hood of The Uncle Walt’s Band. In the early 1980’s, she became part of Nashville’s soccer scene helping to form the Nashville Blue’s Soccer team, and going on to win the DASL Coach of the year in 1981. She worked many jobs to support her family over the years including working for Governor Ray Blanton and for Combine/Buckhorn Music. In 1990, she pursued her passion and became a Master Gardener. She designed many gardens and landscapes in the Belle Meade area of Nashville. She was recognized for her work when published in the Jul/Aug issue of Country Home magazine in 1998. Mary loved to craft and was mentioned in InStyle Magazine’s February 2001 issue for making homemade candles in antique glass and china for the decor at her daughter’s wedding. Mary was a devoted wife, mother of three and grandmother and is survived by her husband of 30 years Mark Fly and son William Cedzich and wife Jennifer Wile, Michele Cedzich and Nicole (Cedzich) Hart and husband Jace Everett, grandchildren Mikhail Cedzich, Savannah Kee, Jackson Grant, Connor Grant and Lucienne Hart. She is also survived by sisters Christy (Cason) and Phillip Robinson, Cathy (Cason) and Jeff Davis and brother Frank Cason, as well as nieces Tara Davis and Lauren Cason and nephew Quentin Cason. She was known and admired for her sharp wit, intelligence and creativity and will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew her. Visitation will be Saturday, September 28th from 2PM until time of service at 3pm at Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home.