Mary Lou Fettinger Hess

Mary Lou Fettinger Hess, 94 of Panama City, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at her home.

She was born June 28, 1932, in Winslow, Indiana. She moved to Florida in 1950, where she made her life until her passing. When she moved to Florida, she became a member of Round Lake Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and helped teach at VBS.

She was a graduate of Bay High School in 1951 and started working right out of High school at Swedette Ice Cream in Panama City, Florida. She then went on to attend Miss Morrow Business College in 1952, Durham College in 1969 and Gulf Coast College in 1986, where she graduated with an AA degree. She was also a member of Greenhills/Fountain Extension Club for many years and owner of Bayou George Auto Parts from 1985 to 1995.

Mary Lou was always crafty and often had a ceramic project in the works. She was a devoted wife to her husband of 50 years until his passing in 2003 and a loving mother to her three children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Foy Berl Hess, Sr.; parents, KG and Louise Fettinger and two brothers, Jerry and Kenny Fettinger.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Foy Hess, Jr., Joyce Hess and Vida Hess; sister, Joann Everitt; brother, James Fettinger (Donna); five grandsons, Greg Morris, Johnny Gurganus II (Carrie), Eric Gurganus, Joe Morris (Shannon), Jasper Gurganus (Kimberly); seven great-grandchildren, Johnny III, Abigail, Sommer (Blayton), Allen (Magan), Adrianna, Ayden, Emma; one great-great-grandson, Jensen; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.

Funeral services will be 10 AM Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Round Lake Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Barnes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Greg, Johnny II, Eric, Joe, Jasper, great-grandson Allen and friend Rickey Willkerson.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Mary Lou's memory.