Mary Joyce (Simpson) O'Hara, 77, of Poplar Bluff, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at the Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff.

She was born Nov. 21, 1927, at Pollard, the daughter of the late Lemuel L. and Mary Davis Simpson.

In her early years, she and her late husband, George W. O'Hara, lived in Poplar Bluff for a brief period of time before moving to St. Louis where she lived for 40 years.

Beginning her nursing career at the Poplar Bluff Hospital, she worked at several well-known hospitals as an L.P.N. while living in St. Louis.

She was a member of a Presbyterian Church in St. Louis and after returning to Poplar Bluff she attended the South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church. She enjoyed flowers and gardening.

She married George W. O'Hara on Jan. 7, 1947. He preceded her in death on Nov. 2, 1995.

She is survived by one sister, Reba Crofford of Poplar Bluff; a niece, Alleyne Essary of Nashville; a nephew, Charles Watson of Pocahontas; four great-nephews, David and Mark Essary, Jeffrey Watson and Charles Watson; three sister-in-laws, Wilma Monroe, Barbara Brown and Dorothy Cosby, and their children.

Visitation will be held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at the Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral chapel with Rev. Edwin Runyan officiating. Burial will be at the New Hope Cemetery in Pollard.