Mary Jane Hobbs-Pattillo, beloved wife, mother, great aunt, and friend was born on December 29, 1944, in El Paso, Texas, to P.C. “Rex” and Mary E. Hobbs. Mom passed away at the age of 81 surrounded by her family April 13, 2026 at 3:07 PM in the afternoon in Kingman Arizona, a place she had called home for nearly 70 years. She lived a life defined by determination, independence, and unwavering love for her family and community.
At the age of 17, Mary Jane met the love of her life, Eddie Dene Pattillo, at the University of Arizona. He was a worldly six years older and a very bad influence. Their bond was immediate and enduring, leading to their marriage in 1965. Together, they built a beautiful life and shared 57 years of marriage, with a love that continued to grow through the years. They would have celebrated their 61st anniversary on April 17, 2026.
Mary Jane was a proud graduate of Mohave County Union High School, class of 1962, where she was a pom pom where she formed lifelong friendships she cherished throughout her life. After her father’s passing, she returned to Kingman to help her mother close and sell the family business, Hobbs Flying A Truck Stop; an early example of her strength and devotion to family.
Her professional life was marked by ingenuity and dedication. She began her career as a bank teller, later worked in a title office, helped dad open Valley National insurance, then stepped away from the workforce to raise her children. Once they were older, she returned to work at Mohave Community College, where she served for 20 years as an administrative assistant and IT technician before retiring. During this time, she also fulfilled a personal goal by returning to college, earning an AA degree, and then earning her business degree from the University of Phoenix. This was a testament to her belief that it is never too late to achieve one’s dreams.
Mary Jane was deeply involved in her community throughout her life. She served as a room mother at Manzanita, a Cub Scout den mother, and an assistant Girl Scout leader. She also served on the City of Kingman Historic Preservation Commission helping to preserve much of the downtown Kingman area. She was a proud member of the Daughters of Mohave County Pioneers, honoring her deep roots in the area. She was herself a Mohave County Downwinder who worked tirelessly to get justice for her husband and finally saw the culmination of that fight last summer with the passing of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Reauthorization which covered lower Mohave County for the first time since the program’s inception in 1990.
A woman of many talents, Mary Jane believed she could accomplish anything she set her mind to; she proved it time and again. Mom was an accomplished seamstress and took up drawing and watercolor painting, dedicating herself to learning and eventually becoming a skilled artist. True to her nature, once she felt she had mastered these, she moved on, always seeking new challenges.
One of her greatest passions was genealogy. She spent countless hours researching family history, tracing it back to the American Revolution and beyond. She generously shared her work by uploading extensive research to various genealogy research organizations, leaving behind a rich legacy for generations to come. She found joy in visiting historic cemeteries as part of her genealogy research which was a pastime she loved deeply.
Above all, Mom was a strong, independent woman and a true role model to her children. She taught them perseverance, curiosity, and the importance of following through on one’s goals. She is survived by her children, Kim and Cullin Pattillo; a nephew, Sean Davis; two great-nephews, Riley Ferry & Finn Davis; lots of cousins and many lifelong friends who will remember her strength, humor, and enduring spirit.
Later in life, she was a devoted “fur grandmother” to Sora, Prince, and Ron Jon. Her beloved fur daughter, Sally, passed just a few months before her. It brings comfort to know they will be reunited along with Eddie, our Dad, once again.
Mary Jane’s life was one of purpose, resilience, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.
Services for Mom will be at Saint John’s United Methodist Church on Saturday April 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held on the evening of April 24, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sutton’s Funeral Home and Mortuary. Flower arrangements will be handled and delivered by The Tilted Tulip.
