Mary M. Cropper, of Dayton, Kentucky, passed away on October 11, 2024, after a sudden illness.

Mary was born in Van Wert, Ohio, on July 21, 1955, to Clarence Cropper and Evelyn Gillespie Cropper.  Mary received Bachelor (1977) and Master of Arts (1984) degrees from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, followed by a long and successful career in publishing and in administration, and was enjoying her retirement. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Michael. She will be deeply missed by her cousins, Darrell Ward (May's Lick, KY), John Ward (Pleasant View, TN), Robert Ward (Statesville, NC), James Ward (May's Lick, KY), their families, and her many dear friends. Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on November 2, 2024, in the May's Lick (Kentucky) Cemetery; arrangements are made by Palmer Funeral Home & Crematory in May's Lick. There will be no visitation. In memory of Mary, donations are suggested to the Humane Society, the ASPCA, the Carolina Tiger Rescue, or an animal rescue organization in your community.