Mary Magdaline (Capps) Lafferty, 97, of Salem, Arkansas, passed away on February 13, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Tyronza, Arkansas, on October 30, 1928, to Benjamin “Frank” Capps and Vernie “Pearl” (Croney) Capps Stokes.
Mary was united in marriage to Buford Floyd Lafferty on March 21, 1944, in East Prairie, Missouri. From this blessed union came four children: Donna Sue, Dannie Floyd, Buford Dewane, and Shirley Jean.
Mary worked for 20 years at the Dollar Store in Thayer, Missouri, and also served her community through Meals on Wheels and Home Health Care. Caring for others came naturally to her—no one ever left her home without being fed. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, and spending time with those she loved. Mary was a long-time member of the United Pentecostal Church of Thayer, Missouri.
She is survived by her sons, Dannie Lafferty (Linda) of Salem, Arkansas, and Dewane Lafferty of Viola, Arkansas; her daughter, Shirley Fritts of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, and Ruby Sanders of Ontario, Oregon. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Capps and Pearl Stokes; her husband, Buford Lafferty; her daughter, Donna Sue Lafferty; three great-grandbabies; four sisters, Della Elledge, Dorothy Curtis, Cora Carter, Ernestine Defalco and Barbara Moore; and one infant brother, Frank Capps Jr.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memorial Processing
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
501 St Jude Pl
Memphis, TN, 38105-9959
OR LEFT WITH THE FUNERAL HOME
Officiating will be Bradford Pierce, and pallbearers will be Colton Pierce, Tony Pierce, Kenneth “Tyler” Moore, Austin Moore, Landon Brewer, Josh Lafferty, Forrest Walsh and Michael Barnes.
A Graveside Funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri with burial to follow.
Services in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri
