Mary Flynn (Sellers) Pilgreen was born on March 9, 1920 in Sellers, Alabama and died on December 30, 2014 in Montgomery, Alabama at the age of 94. She was the eldest child of Mattie Flynn Stallings Sellers and Ronald Earl Sellers. She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-four years, Van O. Pilgreen, as well as siblings, Ronald Earl Sellers and Tommye Jean (Sellers) Carter. She is survived by her three children, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law. An interesting event in her life was winning the Future Farmers of America national contest for "Healthiest Girl in America" and considering her long healthy life, it was prophetic. The award also led a young man named Van Pilgreen, after seeing her picture in the newspaper, to seek her out and marry her. In 1941, she graduated with an AB degree in Sociology from Alabama College (University of Montevallo). Deciding that her passion was education, she attended night classes at Howard College (Samford University) to qualify for a teaching certificate and taught at Edgewood and McElwain Elementary schools. She enrolled at the University of Alabama and was awarded a Master's degree in Education, a AA Certificate and completed all requirements for a PhD in Education, except for the year residency on the U of A campus. During her employment in an administrative position with the Jefferson County School District, she developed the Hospital and Homebound programs. Professional activities included membership and leadership roles in the teaching associations AEA and NEA; in the Association of Supervisors of Special Education and the Association of Retarded Persons. Community service included serving as president of Minnie Holman Elementary PTA, Woodlawn High School PTA and Birmingham PTA Council. Over the years, she served in leadership positions in The League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Birmingham Festival of Arts and Girl Scouts of America. Other service included supporting the Alabama Humanities Foundation and twice serving as chairman of the annual Christmas Caroling fund raiser for the Alabama Foundation for Hearing and Speech. She was national president of the Alabama College Alumni Association. From 1958 to 2014 her church membership was at First United Methodist Church. Earlier, at Woodlawn Methodist Church, she served as a Sunday school teacher and Director of the summer Vacation Bible School. In 1996 at the age of 76, she retired after thirty nine years with the Jefferson County School District. As a world traveler, she visited over fifteen countries. Private burial: January 4, 2015 at Elmwood Cemetery.

Fill obituary published in The Birmingham News from January 2 to January 4, 2015