Mary Ellen Ward Gay

Mary Ellen Ward Gay, 68, of Metter died Sunday, May 11, 2014, at Ogeechee Area Hospice surrounded by her family on her last Mothers Day. Born in Metter, she was the daughter of John Lee Ward, Sr. and Mary Evelyn Donaldson Ward. She was a 1965 graduate of Metter High School and a graduate of Swainsboro Technical School. Mary Ellen grew up in the New Beulah Methodist Church and later joined El Bethel Baptist Church. She retired early from Durden Banking Company due to the onset of Parkinson Disease. Her favorite place to be was in her garden and her greatest joy was raising her children. She loved her Grace Garden family where she lived for the past year. Preceding her in death were her parents and an infant son, Eulie Richard Gay, Jr.

Survivors are two daughters and sons-in-law, Dawn and Bo Patterson of Metter, Denna and Mike Hughes of Statesboro; a son, Dwayne Gay of Statesboro; two brothers, J.L. Ward, Jr. and James Edward Ward both of Metter; three sisters, Isabel Sego of Metter, Sarah Mills of Trenton, SC and Pam Ward of Metter; five grandchildren, Lauren and Miles Patterson and Harrison, Hayden and Whitney Hughes.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, 11:00 am, at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, with Elder Mike Newman officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery in Emanuel County. Visitation will be Tuesday, 6-8 pm, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bo Patterson, Mike Hughes, Miles Patterson, Harrison Hughes, Jonathan Ward and Alston Bragg. Remembrances may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, POB 531, Statesboro, GA 30459. Please sign guest book: www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of arrangements