Mary Louise Mikush

Mary Lou Mikush, 91, passed away peacefully in her home in Jacksonville, FL on February 9, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.

Born Mary Louise Pruett on August 25, 1934 in Beckley, WV, she grew up a mountain girl with a deep faith in God, family, friends and community. Mary Lou never met a stranger. She always saw the good in others, sharing her stories and theirs, ensuring they felt heard and appreciated, and encouraging others to be their best selves. A lifelong educator, she graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1956 and began her teaching career in Silver Spring, MD with a classroom of 42 fourth graders. She met and fell in love with Don Mikush, Sr. at a holiday gathering in Baltimore and was married that summer in 1957 in Beckley.

Mary Lou and Don made their home in Ellicott City, MD where Don began his thriving physical therapy practice. Mary Lou earned her Master of Arts degree in Reading from Loyola College in 1977 receiving the Rev. John E. Wise, S.J. Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Education. She was a compassionate and dedicated Reading Specialist at Owen Brown Middle School in Columbia, MD for 15 years, always advocating for her students, meeting them at their level and putting their needs first.

After 21 years, they built their dream home on the Severn River in Annapolis, MD where they boated, hosted many crab feasts and opened their home to family and friends for 18 years. She retired from the classroom but shared her talent and passion for education by teaching GED classes at Chrysalis House and Second Genesis to adults recovering from addiction and/or in the criminal justice system.

In 2001, Mary Lou and Don retired to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL where they never missed a game, performance, award ceremony, sacrament, or prom picture of their youngest grandchildren. Mary Lou and Don served as Eucharistic Ministers at Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church, and Mary Lou continued to educate adults in the GED program in Duval County into her late 70’s. Always young at heart, Mary Lou drew from her thespian days and for several years in her 80’s, played the grandmother in the Christ Church Nutcracker ballet production benefiting a Dreams Come True child. She loved football Sundays, and regardless of the team, knew not only the professional history of the players and coaches, but their personal backstories, as well.

Mary Lou lost the love of her life in 2020 after 62 years of marriage but found joy and purpose every day talking to, facetiming with or texting her children, 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren near and far. Mom/Mom Mom/G Mom Mom loved viewing shared photographs on her digital photo frame full of love, laughter and precious moments from the wonderful family she and Don were blessed to create.

Survivors include her brothers Charles David Pruett (Yvonne), James Thomas Pruett (Marie), son Donald Chester Mikush, Jr. (Sandra), daughter Deborah Mikush Powers (Carl), son David Lawrence Mikush, daughter Donna Mikush Smith (Mansfield), grandchildren David Russell Mikush (Cambey), Katherine Mikush Fogleman (Nick), James Paul Mikush, David Adam Powers (Deanna), Carl Alexander Powers, Mitchell Lewis Powers, Molly Ruth Powers, Ryan Benjamin Powers, Clayton Donald Mikush (Keri), Courtney Mikush Gallanty (Matt), Melissa Kay Mikush, Kayla Louise Smith, Emma Charlotte Smith, Reid Mansfield Smith and great grandchildren Lila, Percy, Russell, Hardin, Addie, Hayes, Chloe and Casey.

A family Celebration of Life will be held in Sutherland Valley along the New River in Todd, NC later this year.

Memorial gifts may be made to Duke ALS Research https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth?designation=3916783.