Mary Johnson Whitehead

Mary Johnson Whitehead, aged 98 of Watkinsville, GA passed away peacefully on September 2, 2018.

Mrs. Whitehead was born on June 14, 1920 in Winterville, GA. She was the daughter of the late David and Zuma Nabers Johnson and the wife of the late Wesley Whitehead, Jr. of Winterville. She is also preceded in death by her son, David Whitley Whitehead of Winterville.

Most of “Miss Mary’s” life was spent in her hometown of Winterville where she and her husband, Wesley raised their three sons, Whitty, Donny, and Doug.

She was well known for her wonderful cooking and ability to entertain as a most generous hostess as well as for her gift of playing the piano in a style unique to her alone. She was a member of Winterville United Methodist Church and a former member of Tuckston United Methodist Church. She was active as church pianist for over seventy-five years, a piano player in a lively Dixieland Band and yearly Miss Marigold pageants. She greatly enjoyed sharing her friendship, her love of God and Christian testimony, and her piano music with inmates at the local jail every Sunday afternoon for many years.

Mary and Wesley were two of the founders of the Winterville Marigold Festival, an event that continues annually.

The family wishes to recognize and thank her beloved friends and watchful caretakers, Frances Wilson, Sandra Hancock, Betty Stokes, Ronald and Carol Henry, Delores Wages, Trudy Hancock, Madelyn Moore-Jones, Gaythia Turner, Asha Moore, St. Mary’s Hospice staff, and countless others.

She is survived by loved ones, sons and daughters-in-law, Donny and Dell Whitehead, Doug Whitehead and Sonya Lane, and Susan Whitehead; grandchildren, Leslie Whitehead-O’Neal, David and Donald Whitehead, Alice and Brian Herndon; Daughters-in-law, Yvonne Bird, and Tammy Whitehead; eight great grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, September 4 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Lord and Stephens East, and funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 5 at 2:00 at Winterville First United Methodist Church. Rev. John Merk and Rev. Tac Coley will officiate. 

Serving as pallbearers will be David Whitehead, Donald Whitehead, Trevor O’Neal, Colin O’Neal, Wyatt Herndon, Bryan Herndon, Ron Henry, George Chandler, Robert Warren, and Don Bower. Honorary pallbearers will include the United Methodist Women from Winterville United Methodist Church.

Flowers will be accepted. Memorials may be made to Winterville United Methodist Church or St. Mary’s Hospice.

Lord and Stephens, EAST, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

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