Mary was born on March 11, 1924, in Asheville, North Carolina. She attended Vanderbilt University, where she earned a degree in nursing and devoted herself to caring for others.
On January 28, 1950, she married B. Rucker Hays in Nashville, Tennessee. He preceded her in death.
Mary loved horses and animals and had a special place in her heart for children. She was a woman of strong faith and was known as a prayer warrior who faithfully prayed for her family and friends.
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth, Frances, Henry, and John; her grandchildren, Charlie, Mary, Benett, Diana, Emily, and Amy; and her great-grandchildren, Hunter, Beth, Cody, Mary Linh, Cyrus, Lucy, Lincoln, Simon, Atticus, and Ophelia.
