Mary Evelyn Ivie

Mary Evelyn (Covert) Ivie was born December 27, 1930, in Joplin, Missouri, to James Addis Covert and Lola Robertson Covert. In her younger years, the family lived in Carthage, then moved back to Joplin when she was four.

She graduated from Joplin High School in 1948 and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. During high school and college, Mary was active in music circles, participating in orchestra, band, and drum corps in high school and performing with the University Singers ensemble at MU.

In 1952, she married John Nelson Ivie, of Joplin.  During his military deployment to Korea in 1953-54, she was employed as an elementary school teacher for the Joplin R-8 School district. Later, as a mother, she enjoyed her role as a Cub Scout den mother for her sons’ troops and managed the concessions operation at the American Little League baseball park.

At the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin, she served a term as a ruling Elder, chaired the Worship & Music Committee, taught a Sunday School class, and sang in the church choir for 25 years. She also served as Sanctuary chairman for many years, for which she was awarded by the Women’s Association of that congregation.

Mary was a member of Chapter GA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and recently received that organization’s 70th-Year Award. During the late 1960s and early 70s, she was a Board member and President of the Women’s Club of Joplin and served as President of Women of Rotary. She was also a charter member of The Friends of St. Avips, a support group of the Spiva Art Center, and a charter member of the Angel Guild of Joplin Little Theater.

From 1990 to 2001, Mary served on the Board and as accommodations chair for the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. One of her cherished memories in this role was organizing the arrangements for the showcase concert of the Competition Winners at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1994.  

Her love of travel included wonderful trips to Europe, as well as to New Jersey to visit her grandchildren.
She is survived by her two sons, Kelly and Brad, her daughter-in-law, Joanne, and grandchildren Devon and Travis.  Her husband of over 60 years, John Ivie, passed away in 2013.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO.