Mary Lou Prevatt Breedlove Caruthers

Mary L. Breedlove Caruthers, 89

Mary Lou Prevatt Breedlove Caruthers, 89, passed peacefully on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at E. T. York Hospice in Gainesville with her daughters by her side. A longtime resident of Gainesville, Mary was born in Glen St. Mary, Florida, on June 26, 1935, to Charles A. and Leila Harvey Prevatt. A graduate of Macclenny High School class of 1954, Mary avidly participated in Macclenny Wildcat sports including Basketball and Baseball. As a senior, Mary was Basketball All Conference Captain and Most Athletic. She was a member of many clubs including Beta Club, Cat’s Paw annual staff, and Cat’s Tale newspaper. After graduation, Mary worked in Jacksonville marrying Raymond Breedlove in 1955. They relocated to Gainesville in 1959. Mary had an exemplary career with Farm Credit Service of North Florida from 1966 to 1985. After retiring, she worked part-time at ALLTEL and owned and operated a small business. While her daughters were in band, Mary volunteered with the Gainesville High School Band Boosters, serving as President during 1977 to 1978 school year. She also typed and helped publish Girl Scout Troop 414’s Cookbook in the early 1970’s. Mary relished time with her beloved daughters and grandson, family, and friends. She was known for kindness and cherished for her enthusiastic interest in everyone she met. Adored in her community, Mary enjoyed visiting with neighbors, gardening, and walking her dog. Many pets entered her life over the years; she treasured and spoiled them all. Gardening was a passion. She was especially proud of her Meyer lemon tree and delighted in sharing the bounty with family and friends. Mary loved to bake; family favorites included her amazing lemon bundt cake with lemon glaze and her famous pecan pie. Mary was an enthusiastic Florida Gators fan, cheering long and loud for all things Gator-related. This is evident in her notorious email address “LiveGatormlc”. Mary was a long-time member of the First Lutheran Church of Gainesville, serving on Alter Guild, Card Ministry, Collections, and Tuesday Tasters. She lived each day by one of her favorite bible verses, Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance”.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Leon (Millie) Prevatt, Edward “Ray” (Joy) Prevatt Sr.; maternal grandparents Grover Cleveland “Clede/Clete” Harvey Sr. and Emily Davis Harvey; paternal grandparents William Kell Prevatt and Lougenia Combs Prevatt.

Mary is survived by her daughters Kimberly Kaye (Quezryth) Chunn of Fort Washington, Maryland and Shi Anne Breedlove; grandson Jakob Breedlove both of Gainesville; sister Faye Moran of Macclenny, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Donations may be made to The American Heart Association at Heart.org and Operation Catnip, www.ocgainesville.org/donate 912 NE 2nd Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. Please visit Mary’s memorial page at www.crevassesimplecremation.com