Mari Womack

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Mari Rita Nall Womack, 68, of California, formerly of Advance, passed away last week.

She was the daughter of Truman and Rita Van Gennip Nall. After graduating from Advance High School, she moved to California with her husband, Roland Womack.

Womack attended UCLA where she earned a doctorate in anthropology. Dr. Womack wrote several books, including "Being Human," "Introduction to Medical Anthropology" and "Symbols and Meaning." She taught anthropology at UCLA; El Camino College; Santa Monica College, where she was presented with the Alpha Gamma Sigma Instructional Excellence Award; and several other institutions of higher learning.

She was a research scholar at the UCLA Center for the Study of Women and a scriptwriter for the PBS television series "Faces of Culture." She was an international broadcaster with Voice of America, appeared on the "Today" show, and was quoted in several periodicals, including The New York Times. But mostly she will be remembered for her sense of fun and her unfailing generosity to her loved ones, colleagues and students.

Womack is survived by her three loving children, Gregory Womack of Nevada, Jeffrey Womack of Oregon, Laura Womack of Pennsylvania; four grandchildren; two dear brothers, James Nall of Advance and Eugene Nall of Scott City; as well as Roland Womack of California.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Glennon, Mo. The Rev. William Hennecke will officiate. Burial will be at Glennon Cemetery.