Mary Jean Hempstead of Rockford departed this earthly life December 10, 2021. She was born May 16, 1954 the daughter of Charlene Hempstead and Baxter Haygood. Mary lived in Rockford most of her life coming from Camden, Arkansas. She was self employed in  Commercial Cleaning, subcontracting for Peterson Cleaning. Mary was a member of The Word Worship Center. She attended Jefferson High School.

Mary leaves to cherish many loving memories, three daughters, Rea (Milton) Jones, Lea Hempstead and Marshena (Jermaine) Green; son Theoplious Hempstead; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Jenell Hempstead, Mary Haygood, Brenda Samuel and Priscilla Patterson; brothers, Dexter Haygood, Larry Purifoy, Jerome Holliman and Aaron Vaughn; two nephews; two nieces; a host of other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her parents; two sons, Marcus and Calvin Hempstead; grandson, Deandre Ducksworth; three brothers, Frank Lee, Johnnie, and David Hempstead; and two sisters, Deborah and Deon Hempstead; brother, Joseph Vaughn

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at The Word Worship Center 1401 W. State St. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Arrangements completed by Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home 200 N. Johnston Ave.