Mary Louise Traylor

Mary Louise Bennett Traylor, co-owner of The Kitchen Restaurant, was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She departed this life and gained her angel wings at home surrounded by her family on June 8, 2022, at the age of 87 years.

Mary was born on December 14, 1934, to Leslie Cotton and Mary Elizabeth Bennett in Wilmot, Ark. After graduating as valedictorian from Bonita High School she moved to downtown Monroe to attend Bish Mathis Institute. There she met the love of her life, James E. Traylor, whom she wed on September 3, 1954. She worked as a bookkeeper for Salley Construction Company for over 20 years until 1968 when she and James began operating the Dairyette in West Monroe. In 1984 they opened The Kitchen Restaurant in downtown Monroe and worked side by side until James’ death in 2014. Mary continued to work at the restaurant daily until she decided to sell the building and retire in January of 2022.

James and Mary loved to travel, taking many trips with Fred’s Travel Company and making lifelong friends. Together they worked faithfully with the Barak Shriners Temple to ensure a successful annual circus. Even after James’ death, Lady Mary continued to host the hospitality room for the circus workers. A devout Christian, Mary was a long time member of Fair Park Baptist Church. She dearly loved her family and insisted on letting the great-grandkids play around her even in those final days.
In addition to her husband and parents, Mary is predeceased by her son-in-law, Dale Williamson and her brother, Charles J. Bennett. Mother is survived by her children and their spouses; Terri and Dave Kent, Debra Williamson, and Jay and Brandi Traylor; her grandchildren and their families, Jeremy and Renee Kent, Harrison and Bennett; Jeffrey and Abigail Kent, Jayden and Reagan; Amanda and Justin Dodson, Cadence, Dominic and Eliza; Ryan and Brenna Williamson, Annabel and Layla; Tara and Matthew Hudson, Drake, Landry, Hadley and Hayden; and Samantha, Kate and Liz Traylor will dearly miss their Mammaw. Also left to cherish her memories are her sister and best friend, Joyce Bennett; her loving companion, Gene Hodges; and her Kitchen family, Pat Reed, Theresa Woodard, Susan Goins, and all her wonderful customers.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2022, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home on Sterlington Road in Monroe. Funeral services will be on Monday, June 13, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe, with Rev. Waymond Warren and Pastor Jeffrey Kent officiating. Bro. Darris Waren will provide music ministry. Interment to follow at Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens in West Monroe under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Jay Traylor, Jeremy Kent, Jeffrey Kent, Ryan Williamson, Dave Kent, Justin Dodson, and Matthew Hudson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Barak Shrine Temple. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff of Elara Hospice for their loving and compassionate care of Mother during her final days.

Memorials may be made to Fair Park Baptist Church, Shriners Hospital for Children of Shreveport, or MD Anderson Cancer Institute.

“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25