Mary Gay

Mary Oleta Barrow Gay

Wrens, GA  –              Mary Oleta Barrow Gay, 92, loving wife of the late Ernest Luther Gay, entered into her eternal rest early Monday morning, May 7, 2018 at Silver Linings Personal Care Home in Stapleton. Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 2:30 P.M. Thursday afternoon, May 10, 2018 with Reverend Tommy Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Cemetery.

The youngest of eight born to the late Lillian Estelle Dukes Barrow and the late Henry Bonnie Barrow, Mary was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, and attended school at Matthews.  After marrying the love of her life, they lived outside of Wrens where they raised their family. After her children were in school, Mary started work as a seamstress at Stapleton Garment Company after which she worked at Thomson Company, retiring with over 30 years of service. She loved to cook, sew, embroidery—anything to keep busy. She liked being outdoors and could be found doing yardwork whenever the weather permitted.  Mary accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and served Him faithfully at Mt. Horeb Baptist Church for 65 years until her health decline. Being independent and self-sufficient, she was always on the go but she always made time for her family and friends.  She loved people—and she loved to talk and never lacked for conversation.  Her outgoing personality afforded her many friends, whom she loved to visit. Mary had an absolute, unconditional love for her family and was the happiest when with her family, especially at family gatherings that she considered joyous occasions. This loving mother, loyal friend and woman of faith will be greatly missed.

Mary is also preceded in death by her grandson, Jeffery Thomas McGahee; and all of her siblings, Lowrin Barrow, Eben Barrow, John T. Barrow, Thomas Barrow, Robert Barrow, Sally Thigpen and Fannie Windom.  Survivors include her three children, Patricia G. Kitchens (Larry), Brenda G. Wearn (Larry), and Donald A. Gay (Elizabeth); eleven grandchildren, Tracie L. Jones, Tracy Kitchens (Renee), Pamela Humphries, Bruce Johnson, Heather Bentley (Richie), Michelle Towler (Ronald), Larry Wearn (Tammy), Yvonne Butler (Mike), Chris Wearn (Christie), Chris Gay (Kim), and Kacy Holder (Robert); sixteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and church family.  Serving as pallbearers will be Bob Barrow, Edward Barrow, Roger Coxwell, Terry Holley, Jeremy Jones, Kyle Jones, Tracy Kitchens, and Larry Wearn.

Heartfelt thanks are expressed to the staff at Silver Linings Personal Care Home for their loving, compassionate care during this past year.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home prior to the services from 1:00 – 2:30 P.M. Thursday afternoon, May 10, 2018.

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Psalms 23 (NKJ)