Mable Lois Proctor

Mable Lois Proctor, age 94, of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, departed this life to be with her Savior on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. She passed away peacefully at Hospice of the Golden Isles with her daughter, Donna, by her side.

Born on June 19, 1931, in Bartow, Georgia, Mable was the daughter of the late Ed Jerry Smith and Lois Burma Williams Smith. A bright and determined young woman, she graduated as the valedictorian of Davisboro High School. At age 18, she left the country roads of Bartow for Atlanta to attend Creighton Business College, where she earned her associate degree.

While living in Atlanta, Mable met the love of her life, Reverend Joseph Donald “Don” Proctor, while he was attending the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. They shared 71 beautiful years of marriage. Following Don’s ordination into the Methodist Church, they began a lifelong journey of service within the South Georgia Conference. Mable embraced her role as a minister’s wife with grace, involving herself in every aspect of ministry.

Their journey took them across Georgia, serving congregations at Trinity Methodist in Savannah, Buck Creek/McBride in Sylvania, Woodland Methodist, Sardis, Evans, and Matthews Chapel. In Macon, Mable served as a Girl Scout leader while at Southside Methodist. In Soperton, she served as President of the Garden Club. Their ministry continued through stops in Cochran, Swainsboro, and Wadley – where Mable was a dedicated choir member – and finally to Taylor’s Methodist in Brunswick and Darien.

Upon retiring to Saint Simons Island at the age of 62, Mable became an active member of Saint Simons United Methodist Church. Her retirement was filled with the things she loved most: gardening, walking, and doting on her three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was legendary in the kitchen; while she could cook enough to feed an army, she was best known for her homemade cinnamon rolls, which were enjoyed by friends, neighbors, and even local restaurants.

Mable’s gentle, kind, and loving spirit endeared her to everyone she met. Her faith was expressed through her tireless charity work with MAP International, the local soup kitchen, the Youth Detention Center, Emmaus, and Kairos Prison Ministry and the Senior Adult Ministry at SSUMC. She was a graceful spiritual role model who lived to support those in need. She was also a passionate sports fan, a love she shared with Don, cheering fervently for the UGA Bulldogs, the Atlanta Braves, and the Atlanta Falcons.

Mable was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Joseph Donald Proctor; two sons, Jeffrey Matthew Proctor and Alan Keith Proctor; and ten brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Proctor Nedik of Saint Simons Island; her daughter-in-law, Diana Proctor of Jacksonville; three grandchildren, Cory Alan Proctor (Jamie), Marjorie Nicole Osika (Drew), and Lauren Ashley Walton (Garth); six great-grandchildren; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mable’s life will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Saint Simons United Methodist Church. A viewing and reception will begin at 1:30 PM, followed by the funeral service at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, Mable requested that donations be made in her memory to the Saint Simons United Methodist Fund, the Ministry of the Youth Detention Center in Brunswick, or Faithworks/Interfaith local missions in Brunswick, Georgia.