In Loving Memory of our beloved Mother, Mary Ann Lucero.

Mary Ann Lucero (formerly Shoemaker) was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1944 and passed away in her home on August 15, 2026 surrounded by loving family at the age of 82.

As the true matriarch in our family, we honor her unconditional love and steadfast servanthood that we aspire to carry on in her memory. She will be dearly missed.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her best friend and sister, Carole Sekerak; her husband, Gilbert Lucero; her mother, Dorothy Piker; father, Allen Shoemaker; aunt, May Ann Harvey; uncle, Frank Harvey.

She leaves behind a legacy and heritage rooted in her strong foundation that we are proud to honor, including her daughter Monica Lucero and two sons Nathan Herrera and Gabriel Lucero (Crystal). She leaves her granddaughters Breanna Mills (Justin), Chantel Gifford (Casey), and Alicia Huse. As well as her grandsons, Logan Lucero, Carter Lucero, Brendon Lucero (Staci), and Caleb Lucero (Ashlynn). She leaves great-grandchildren Zuriah Mills, Joanna Mary Mills (her namesake), Zion Mills, Easton Lucero, Harper Lucero, Elayanna Owers, Arya Gifford, and another on the way. Lastly, she leaves her sister Carole's children—her beloved nieces—and their families.

Mary Ann was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Effingham, IL attending Sacred Heart School. She graduated high school and went off to college in Chicago. She then switched paths and started as a journalist at a local newspaper. She loved that job and followed the news faithfully her whole life. Later she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with a friend and met her husband Gilbert Lucero before he passed tragically leaving her with three young children. Widowed young, she moved back to Indiana and re-united with her sister Carole after being separated in childhood. There, she served in a motherly role to her nieces, as is her default nature to care and serve. She worked at a newspaper in Terre Haute, continuing to use her skills and passion related to the news. Eventually, life led her to help her elderly grandmother Jessie in Cassville, Missouri. She lived in Cassville for over 30 years, raising her three children, granddaughter Breanna as her own, and two grandsons. The house on Holman Road became a place of home, refuge, and countless memories for all of her grandchildren. She worked as the receptionist at House Handle Company in Cassville for over 20 years. For the last 10 years of her life she moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas and enjoyed retirement with family and new girlfriends and her beloved pets.

Mary Ann was loyal and steady. Her legacy spanned generations and will carry on for many more. She humbly served her family, looking to their needs above her own. When life brought challenges, she became a pillar of joy and hope in dark places. She embodied kindness, compassion, and dedication, and these have been contagiously passed on to everyone in her life. She had this ability, almost like a superpower, to maintain her composure, and create a calm and peaceful presence in any storm. With her, you found stability and home. With her, you belonged. It didn't matter your title or pedigree or what clothes you wore, you were welcomed with a smile. Mary Ann was an excellent cook and created family traditions, often around the food that was prepared, that the family gladly carries on.

In recent years, you may have found Mary Ann hitting the town with the ladies, and at home tending her plants with a cup of lukewarm coffee in hand, cracking a witty joke to her kids as the cats and grandkids crawled over her bed like their own personal jungle gym, while somehow simultaneously preparing Michelin star quality green chili enchiladas for the family dinner, and you can bet she'd be ready to promptly watch the 10 o'clock news while chatting on the phone with her sister.

We mourn the loss of such a marvelous matriarch. And yet, we grieve with hope. In her later years, Mary Ann professed faith in Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only name by which we can be saved. She knew she would be with Him in the Heavenly city of Zion. The grace of Jesus is a free gift offered to us all. It is not something we can earn or achieve through our own good works. By God's grace, Mary Ann received this gift by faith (Ephesians 2:1-10).

The family will be holding a personal celebration memorial of her life in Fayetteville, AR on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026. Contact the family directly for details.