Maria Lynn Bouton, 70, of Leland, Mississippi passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at her home. Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Maria was born in Leland on April 26, 1950 the daughter of Joseph and Mafalda Bouton. She graduated from Leland High School in 1968 where she was a cheerleader and outstanding basketball player, having attained all North Mississippi tournament honors her senior year. She graduated from Delta State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education. She was a respected and celebrated teacher during a long career that included assignments in Leland, Slaton, TX, Floydada, TX, Crosbyton, TX, Long Beach, MS, and Canton, GA. After earning a specialist’s degree in education while in Georgia, she returned to Leland and ended her career teaching at St. Joseph Catholic School and finally Deer Creek School.
Maria was active in Leland Rotary Club serving as program chairman during the past two years. She was on the board of Jim Henson Boyhood Exhibit and often could be found there as a tour guide where she reveled in praising the Museum and Leland to people from all over the world. She enjoyed having meals with her former Leland High School classmates, but her real passion was playing bridge with her bridge club.
Maria was preceded in death by her parents. She leaves her son Matthew Duprel of Long Beach, MS and her daughter Claire (Beth) Duprel Lewis (Keith) of Lexington, KY; one grandson, Duke Lewis of Lexington, KY; brothers Joe Bouton, (Mary Jeanne) of Athens, GA; Anthony Bouton (Denise) of Gainesville, FL, and John Bouton (Samantha) of Sherman Oaks, CA; and sisters Claire Leatherwood of Long Beach, MS, and Fran Robinson of Greenville, MS; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Maria’s memory to St. James Catholic Church, First Baptist Church of Leland, Leland Rotary Club, the Humane Society, ARRF, or to the charity of your choice.