Mary Brantley Wells Farley
Mary Brantley Wells Farley, 95, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away Monday, June 14, 2021, peacefully at her home away from home, Morning Pointe of Calhoun.
Mary was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Atlanta, Ga. She spent most of her growing up years in communities around Atlanta finishing high school in Hapeville. During World War II she took business classes at her father's business school and worked for the Red Cross. Her father wanted her to continue her secretarial work, however she dreamed of going to college and earning a degree in Home Economics. She attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga. where she completed her degree with an emphasis in dietetics and nutrition. The friends she made in college remained dear friends her entire life.
She married after college and moved to Dalton, Ga. in 1954 and joined Dalton First UMC where she worshipped and served for 65 years. Mary was a Sunday School teacher of youth to seniors, twice UMW president, and, of course, a mainstay in her adult Sunday school classes.
Mary loves her Lord and Savior. She knows Him well, and He is her friend. Throughout her rich life she always trusted Him. She devoted her life to sharing His word in countless Bible Studies and Sunday Schools. She was always eager to teach a Bible lesson. Her children will recall that most every school morning she would read the Upper Room devotional at breakfast before they started their day. She has continued to read the Upper Room and share her daily devotionals with the residents of Morning Pointe. Residents and staff alike speak of how she helped them to better know Jesus.
Mary was an active Girl Scout leader for 30 years serving first her two daughters and then Friendship House. One might say one of her greatest accomplishments was holding her daughter's Girl Scout troop together from 3rd grade to high school graduation. And in turn her example and life lessons with these girls have been paid forward to their families and life acquaintances. These women still speak fondly of her and reflect on their memories of those days. "We're all better because she invested in us."
In true southern belle fashion, Mary was a superb homemaker, a loving mother, and a most gracious hostess. The large patio at her home held many showers, engagement parties, UMYF youth dinners, Sunday school parties, and countless birthdays and other events. And she always believed that candles can make any meal a special event. A talented seamstress, Mary designed stylish coats and dresses for her daughters' and her wardrobes, including her daughters' wedding gowns.
Mary's great loves were children and music. UMC "Sounds of Joy" was one of her favorite hobbies in her Golden Years. Her grandchildren will always remember her fondly for how she taught them to play and love games and puzzles. In true leadership fashion she always played by the rules no matter how young the child. The bar was always set high, and her children and grandchildren rose to meet the challenge. Her eight grandchildren looked forward to "Matmama Camp" with games, crafts and sleepovers.
Mary touched countless lives, not only her four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, but countless others as she loved all God's children, and set an example of how to Be Still and Present in the moment in order to capture the joy that children bring to each of our lives.
Mary is preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Dr. David A. Wells and her husband Dale L. Farley; her parents; her sisters, Sandra Brantley Griffin and Margaret Brantley Jones; and her brother, Raymond Brantley.
Mary is survived by her brother, Samuel J. Brantley of Fayetteville, GA. She is survived by her four children, David Allen (Elizabeth) Wells, Jr. of Milledgeville, John (Wendi) Wells of Atlanta, Carol (Kevin) Hawkins, of Dalton, Mary Beth (Tony) Glotzbach of Charleston, SC. Grandchildren, Merrily Bell of Nashville, TN, Davis (Ginger) Bell of Nashville, TN, Miles (Haley) Garrison of Charlotte, NC, Erik (Allie) Wells of Bishop, GA, Emily (Joe) Stromsness of Duluth, MN, Brooke (Taylor) Wyatt of Lincoln, NE, Brant Wells and fiancé Reeves Turner of Atlanta, Audrey Wells of Atlanta, and nine great-grandchildren.
A special heartfelt thank you to our angel-on-earth, Linda Garrett of Dalton, Ga. She was Mary’s caregiver and special friend for four years and will always mean so much to our family. We also want to thank the staff of Morning Pointe of Calhoun for caring for Mother with such great love these past three years. Homespun Hospice of Calhoun showed her great care for the past 20 months for which we are eternally grateful.
A memorial service in celebration of all the memories she gave us and the lives she touched will be held Thursday, June 17, at Dalton First United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. preceded by visitation at Dalton First UMC from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to Friendship House, 1300 S. Hamilton St. Dalton, GA 30720 or Dalton First United Methodist Church music ministry, 500 S. Thornton Ave., Dalton, GA 30720.