Mary Ann Fauler, age 87, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Tracy Cameron officiating.

Born on November 17, 1938, in Lowville, New York, Mary Ann was the daughter of the late Edward Joseph Fauler and the late Harriet Marie Van Dyke Fauler. Her father was a professor of agriculture and was instrumental in establishing farming programs in the Middle East, and Mary Ann spent 1 ½ years at the American University School in Beirut.

In the 1950s, she boldly stepped into a pioneering role as one of the first Cytotechnologists in the country, training under the inventor of the pap smear. Her dedication to her profession led her to serve many years at PCA Southeast, now known as OPUS Pathology, in Columbia, before she eventually retired. She possessed a zest for life that shone through her many passions. She adored traveling, especially in Europe, Buffalo, New York, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, holding special places in her heart. Mary Ann spent most of her life living south of the Mason Dixon line in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Lexington, Kentucky. She was an avid Alabama football and Buffalo Bills fan. Her affinity for animals and children was a testament to her gentle spirit; they were instinctively drawn to her. A woman of profound kindness and generosity, Mary Ann had a heart of gold, and although she was small in stature, her strength and resilience were remarkable. Above all, she loved the Lord and was of the Christian faith.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Fauler (Brigette Hines), step daughter, Brianna Hines, sister, Kathleen Freeman (John MacKerron), niece, Lynne (John) Seaburg, great niece, Nicole (Chris) Letourneau, great nephew, Ryan Seaburg, great great nieces and nephews, Aubrey, Ryleigh, Sawyer, Kason, special friends, Joe and Minnie Moore and their family: Stephanie (Zachary) Stewart, Catherine (Chris) Moon, Andrew Moore, Michael (Zara) Moore, Payton, Emma, Charlie, and Benjamin Stewart, Henry, Oliver, and Cora Moon, and Cameron Moore.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her great nephew, Jake Seaburg.