Mary Beth Stine was born in Flora, Illinois, on August 25, 1937, to Daniel Scott Moore and Esther (Lewis) Moore.  She was married to Roy Stine in 1961 and lived in Flora until her death on September 26, 2025. Two weeks prior to her passing, she entered hospice care provided by Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes.  She passed away at her home in Flora at the age of 88.  Mary Beth was married to Roy for more than 50 years, prior to his passing on January 20, 2013.  She had one son, Scott Stine, who lives in Vincennes, Indiana, with his wife, Lynn. They have five daughters: Emma, Bridget, Lucy, Kate, and Isabella. Scott works as a physician in Vincennes, while Lynn is a dentist in the same city. She is also survived by a nephew, David Stine, who resides in Texas.

        Mary Beth, daughter of Scott and Esther, was the only child of a school teacher and business owner in Louisville, Illinois.  Mary Beth was a very driven and goal-oriented individual from an early age pursuing her education to the level of doctorate.  After high school she attended Stevens College before attending the University of Illinois for a bachelor’s degree in education and then continuing on to achieve a master’s degree and further on to pursue a doctorate.  She was passionate about purposeful goal-driven education, advocating for Vocational education from the very start of her career. 

        Mary Beth knew that to best promote Vocational education she would have to work through local, state, and national government to advocate for the value of career and technical education.  Mary Beth was an officer in the National Association of Vocational Home Economics Teachers and served as president of the Illinois Vocational Home Economics Teachers Association.  She was president of the Illinois Vocational Association and served on their Board of Directors for many years.  It was, however, her appointment to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Vocational education that allowed her the direct contact with state lawmakers that afforded her the greatest opportunity to affect change in the educational system.  She was awarded “Teacher of the Year” by the American Home Economics Association. Mary Beth was integral in advancement of “Project Connect” in Illinois which helped provide educational opportunities to financially challenged homemakers. She also used her experience in government to move on into her next most influential phase of her career … grant writing.  Along with her team of Bonnie and Linda they went on to write grants for millions of dollars for educational services locally, regionally, and throughout the state of Illinois.  Mary Beth was the systems director for 12 school districts and used this position, influence, and grant writing skills to ensure that her schools were the best equipped with the right tools, talents and technology to provide the best opportunities for her students, teachers and administrators. 

        Mary Beth credits Floyd C. Smith as being her greatest mentor and colleague.  As principal, he helped her promote Home Economics, Vocational Education, and develop and advance the building trades program in Clay County.  Along with John Upton and the hard work of hundreds of young and aspiring carpenters, they constructed more than 20 homes in the Flora area.  These homes stand today as a visible sign of Mary Beth’s passion for purposeful education and training. 

        Mary Beth was famous for asking students what their plans were for their education and when they would tell her that they were planning on studying “Anthropology” in college she would typically reply … “and what exactly do you plan to do with that degree?”  She understood early on that education is a means to an end and while lifelong learning is essential in all fields, it needs to be focused, goal-oriented and purposeful.  A tattered poster adorned the walls of her attic for decades that read “Home Economics … It’s a lot more than stitching and stirring.”  Although a whimsical statement, it helps to drive home the thought that vocational education is life skills combined with purposeful education.

        Mary Beth loved to travel and spent any available time planning her and Roy’s next adventure.  They traveled to every Continent except Antarctica (too cold and no shopping) and endeavored to see all of the remaining wonders of the Ancient world and Modern World.  Her favorite location was Hawaii where she returned often to celebrate her anniversary with Roy.  She traveled on many a ship, but recounted that her transatlantic crossing as a child on the Queen Elizabeth with her parents was one of her most memorable and exciting cruises. She traveled far and wide with Roy and in her later years transitioned to cruises with her girlfriends.  Together they sailed the seas, depleted the international White Zinfandel supply, and supported the economies of countless countries. 

        She is survived by her son Scott, his wife Lynn, and her 5 granddaughters, Emma, Bridget, Lucy, Kate, and Isabella.  Mary Beth was famous for saying that she would attend a goat roping if she could get tickets and there were plenty of goat ropings to attend. Between gymnastics, softball, soccer, track, basketball, scholastic competitions, school drama productions, and holiday programs, there was never a shortage of possible entertainment.  Mary Beth loved seeing her granddaughters work hard, play hard, and achieve their goals.  She especially loved it as the girls started attending events that required elegant gowns and dresses (blue ones, of course, were her favorites).

        Mary Beth loved dressing up, dining out, and enjoying a glass of wine.  She enjoyed cooking and baking and entertaining. She was especially fond of censoring some of Roy’s more colorful stories or raucous behaviors. Some might not know that Mary Beth had a bit of a lead foot and went by the CB handle “Red Geranium.”  Her trusty UM2 license plate served her well when in a pinch with the authorities and will be maintained by her surviving relatives.  She was the pack mule for lunch and libations on her Honda when going on motorcycle rides with Roy, Scott, and the Rudys.  She endured snowmobile trips in the cold and even mounted up on a camel on the Giza Plateau.  Although she loved time in the sun by the pool she abhorred getting her hair wet and was known to scold anyone who sent splashes her way.

        She and Roy were both philanthropists in the Flora community and each served on a variety of local boards and foundations.  Mary Beth was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Methodist Church, The Flora Elks Lodge, and the Hospital Foundation Board.  She served the local community raising money for special projects for the schools and served on the Academic Foundation Board. She was an avid bridge player participating in the bridge group that had snacks and also in the serious one that did not.

        With a life marked by dedication and purpose, Mary Beth Stine exemplified how focused effort and clear goals can lead to meaningful accomplishments. She was deeply proud of her heritage and identity, and her contributions to vocational education were groundbreaking—especially during a time when women rarely held prominent roles in public service or leadership. Mary Beth’s legacy will live on with her 5 granddaughters who are picking up the leadership torch from their MawMaw. 

        A funeral ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the ceremony, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday.  Memorial donations in lieu of flowers or gifts are suggested to either the Flora Academic Foundation or Fur A Good Paws, and these will be accepted by Frank & Bright Funeral Home, 500 North Main Street, Flora, Illinois  62839.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com