Mary Ella Cody Pugh

OZARK…Mrs. Mary Ella Cody Pugh, a resident of Ozark, died late Sunday evening, August 3, 2025, in a Dothan hospital. She was 89.

In keeping with the wishes of the family, there are no public services planned at this time. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Pugh, born to the late Horace Franklin Cody and Mary Ollie Hawkins Pugh, grew up in the small town of Robinson, Illinois, where she built the foundation of a life rooted in kindness, hard work, and faith. A proud graduate of Robinson High School, she carried the values of her hometown with her wherever she went. In 2015, she made the move to Ozark, Alabama, bringing with her a gentle spirit and a heart full of generosity.

For nearly twenty-five years, Mrs. Pugh dedicated herself to her work at Walmart, serving customers and coworkers alike with a smile and a steady hand. She spent time working in Beckley, West Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida, always leaving behind a legacy of warmth and reliability. Her work ethic was second to none—she showed up every day with a positive attitude and had a way of lifting others up, even on the hardest days. If someone was struggling, she was the first to offer encouragement, reminding them that brighter days were ahead.

But Mrs. Pugh’s life wasn’t just about work—it was about giving. She was a woman of deep faith, and she lived that faith through quiet acts of love. One of her favorite things to do was make blankets by hand, stitching each one with care and purpose. She gave them to local pregnancy centers and to people experiencing homelessness, hoping to offer a little comfort and warmth to those who needed it most. It was her way of wrapping others in love, even if she never met them.

She found joy in the simple things—curling up with a good book, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and watching birds flutter around her yard. She had a gentle appreciation for nature and a peacefulness that made others feel at ease in her presence.

Mrs. Pugh’s life was a quiet testament to the power of kindness, resilience, and faith. She didn’t seek recognition, but those who knew her will always remember the way she made them feel—valued, encouraged, and loved. She was preceded in death by her two sons, Michael G. Pugh and Scott A. Pugh; sisters, Marge Michael, and Dixie Schultz; brothers, Donald Cody, Clifford Cody, Jimmie Cody, Dave Cody, and William Cody.

Surviving relatives include her daughter, Rebecca Buckland (Christopher), Ozark; sons, William E. Pugh (Allison), Acworth, Georgia and Robert A. Pugh, Oro Valley, Arizona; sister, Erma Turner (Lee), Summerdale, Alabama; six grandchildren, Emma Buckland, Katherine Pugh Lindsey Pugh, Leslie Pugh, Garrett Pugh, and Ryan Pugh; two great-grandchildren, Brody Pugh and Dawson Pugh; many nieces and nephews.