Mary Belle Horsman Young, age 78, of Little Rock, died Wednesday, December 10, 2008. She was born January 29, 1930 in Ravenden Springs, AR, the only child of her late parents, Melbourne "Bunk" and Maud Horsman. She was also preceded in death by her husband Jack Young. After attending Harding University in Searcy, then returning to northeast Arkansas to teach, in 1952 Mary traveled to Washington, DC where she began her long career with the Federal Government. During the Eisenhower administration, she worked in the Executive Office of The President of the United States as a Correspondence Clerk. She was later promoted to the position of Assistant Chief of Correspondence. She cherished her years at the White House, and as a White House employee was honored to have been able to "welcome" such world leaders as Sir Winston Churchill; Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; King Paul of Greece (son of Constantine I of the Byzantine Empire and first cousin of Prince Philip) and his wife, Queen Frederika; King Saud of Saudi Arabia; and Achmad Sukarno (the first President of Indonesia). In addition, she had the privilege of visiting with President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower on several occasions. She attended diplomatic receptions and "full dress" Presidential Balls. Mary enjoyed telling about her many encounters with dignitaries and felt both President \u0026 Mrs. Eisenhower were very gracious. Her duties at the White House included typing Presidential State of the Union Addresses and Messages to Congress. She also drafted letters for the President's signature as well as composed thousands of letters to individuals all over the world who would make requests of or have questions about the President or First Family. While performing her duties, she was privileged to have worked directly under William J. "Bill" Hopkins who was White House Assistant to The President under seven presidents. She also had the opportunity of encountering and meeting other government officials including Vice President Richard Nixon, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, Chief Justice Earl Warren, Arkansas Congressman Wilbur D. Mills, Press Secretary to The President James Hagerty, Attorney General Herbert Brownell, Jr., Commissioner of the Hoover Commission and Postmaster General James Farley, and Associate Justices Stanley Reed and Sherman Minton, as well as others. After marrying, she transferred in 1960 to the Real Estate Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Little Rock District. Mary received numerous commendations over her lengthy career in the government and retired from the Corps of Engineers on January 30, 1987. Mary Young was an avid reader who enjoyed historical books about world diplomatic people and events. She was knowledgeable about current events and when asked, always provided intelligent and useful advice. She also greatly enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels in her backyard. She was a member of The Church of Christ faith. She is survived by her only child, Mary Anne Kovats and her husband Gabor of Little Rock and her 104 year-old aunt, Mina Hopkins of Pocahontas, as well as family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County or the Randolph County Humane Society. Funeral services will be held at McNabb Funeral Home in Pocahontas on Tuesday, December 16th at noon. Viewing will take place at 11:00 A.M. Graveside services will follow at McIlroy Cemetery.