Mary L. Worden

Mary Lillian Worden, 86, of Clewiston, Florida, passed away on May 20, 2026.

Mary was born on July 31, 1939, in Saint Cloud, Florida, to Walton and Viola Tyson. She married the love of her life, James Worden, on December 15, 1954, and together they built a life rooted in family, hard work, and resilience. 

Mary was the mother of three daughters: Terry Brack, Kristine Brack, and Kathy Krell. She was a grandmother to eight grandchildren: Jennifer Krell, Jessica Krell, Larry Lamb, Joseph Lamb, Joshua Brack, Tammy Blackwell, Jesse Irwin, and Daniel Brack. She was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Worden; her grandchildren, Jessica Krell and Larry Lamb; and her siblings, Lester Tyson, William “Bill” Tyson, Robert “Bob” Tyson, Logan Tyson, Margie Hall, and Rose Padgett. She is survived by her brother, Leslie Tyson; her daughters; six of her grandchildren; her great-grandchildren; her great-great-grandchildren; and many family members and friends who will never forget her.

Mary was affectionately known by many as “Granny Worden.” She was known for keeping everyone fed, working harder than most people half her age, and making sure no one got away with sleeping too much, gaining too much weight, or doing a job halfway. Mary drove a school bus for more than 50 years, and in between runs she built fiberglass airboats, skinned gators, processed meat, raised chickens, and worked in her garden. She had the kind of wisdom that comes from a lifetime of doing, building, growing, fixing, and figuring things out. She could grow food, graft plants, raise animals, and get things done with sheer will, grit, and determination. She loved flowers, gardening, playing cards, going to the casino, and spending time with children and family.

Her family will remember her for her toughness, her humor, her work ethic, her cooking, her honesty, and her fierce love. She may have been hard-headed, but she was also deeply loved, and her strength will live on in the generations she helped raise.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church of Clewiston, located at 331 West Osceola Avenue, Clewiston, FL 33440.

Mary’s life was full, her hands were never idle, and her family was never left wondering where they stood. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.