May 3, 2006

Mary Tyson Lear Mary Tyson Lear of Gainesville died Saturday at North Florida Regional Medical Center following a heart attack. She was 82. Mrs. Lear was born in Mobile, Ala., and lived in Gainesville for much of her adult life. She also lived in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Washington, D.C., and spent many summers in Washington state near Mount Rainier. She was a personal health and philosophy counselor. She participated in several spiritual study groups and organized workshops on health and healing in Gainesville and elsewhere. She received her degree in educational testing from the University of Alabama and did graduate work in speech therapy at the University of Florida Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Dr. William Edward Lear of Gainesville; sons Dr. William Edward Lear Jr. of Gainesville, Gene Herbert Williams of Washington, D.C., and John Tyson Williams of New Orleans; a daughter, Elizabeth Tyson Lear of Gainesville; and seven grandchildren. Arrangements by Moring Funeral Home in Melrose.