Rev. Mary Frances Stiner

Rev. Mary Frances Stiner was born in Opelika, Alabama on May 28, 1938. She passed away on November 27, 2022. She was a professed, licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, most recently serving as an Associate Minister at the First Gethsemane Baptist Church and receiving First Gethsemane’s “Hall of Fame” Award. She was a graduate of S.C. Taylor Elementary, Madison Junior High, and Central High Schools. She continued her education by graduating with honors from the University of Louisville and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She was a recipient of the Golden Key, Mortar Board, Phi Kappa Phi, and Fulbright Scholar awards for educational excellence. Her ministry was based upon Luke 4: 18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…” She served the church and her community in numerous capacities: co-pastor of a small church, director of conferences and retreats, prison outreach, Sunday School leader, worship leader, etc. In the community she was the first Black secretary in the Mayor’s Office, the first Black woman legislative aide for a 3rd District Louisville Congressman, and as the first Black secretary for the first Black President of the old Louisville Board of Aldermen. She also served as an instructor in the Welfare to Work and GED programs. She served as a 4-H leader, secretary for the Urban League Guild, Life and Legacy Member of the Louisville Section, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), where she served as Chaplain and President, Life Member, Louisville Chapter, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), recording secretary, Louisville Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition, and volunteer Wayside Christian Mission. She received numerous awards for her service: Kentucky Colonel, 3rd District Congressional, Key to the City, Belle of Louisville Captain, 4-H, etc. Preceding her in death were the following: Her grandmother who first introduced her to Jesus Christ and the great stories of the Bible, her mother and father, her beloved husband of almost 50 years, Albert F. Stiner, her stepson Michael Stiner, her sister Eranga (James) Ware, her brother Bernard Wilson, her sister Eva Mae Phillips, and her sister Betty (George) Dickson. Here to carry on her legacy are her children, Michael Perry, Pamela Hill (Andrew), Shannon Todd, and step-children, Albert Stiner, Jr. and Michele Austin. Brothers - Harry, Larry, and Ronnell Avery, Sisters - Alcenia Stephens and Mary Jo Tarver, Grandchildren: Tytiana Ringstaff, Deanisha Griffin, Michelle Perry, Michael Tyler Perry, Lynne Mitchell, Lauren Williams, Brandon Stiner, Jade Jones, and Elon Perry-Stiner, together with a host of nieces and nephews, church members, and friends. A Celebration to honor her life will be held 12 noon Friday, December 2, 2022 at First Gethsemane Baptist Church, 1159 Algonquin Parkway, Louisville, Kentucky 40208. Visitation will be from 10am - 12 noon Friday, December 2,2022 at the church. Burial will be in Cave Hill Cemetery.

Rev. Mary Frances Stiner

May 28, 1938 - November 27, 2022