Mary Francis Ryals Rape

After a long and very full life, Mary Francis Ryals Rape passed away peacefully at Marsh’s Edge, St. Simons Island on Friday July 22,2011. Funeral Services will be held 11 AM Monday, July 25, 2011 at First United Methodist Church of Brunswick, with Rev. Richard W. Soper officiating. Interment will follow in Brunswick Memorial Park Cemetery with Michael Rape, Wesley Crane, John Jernigan, Richard Russell, John Ryals, and Ron Simpson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Elizabeth Circle.

She was born in 1912 to John T. Ryals and Annie Clyde Mathews Ryals in Houston County, Ga. The site of her birth and childhood home is now Warner Robins, Ga. She had a large and close family with many extended relatives. Her dearly beloved grandfather Charles Wesley Mathews, a Confederate soldier, was the subject of many stories that she shared with her children and grandchildren.

In 1936 she married Edwin Palmore Rape and together they raised their family in Brunswick, Ga., and were loyal members of First United Methodist Church. Her membership and service spanned 62 years. She was active in the United Methodist Women, a charter member and organizer of the Keenagers group, and served her church in many other capacities.

Serving the community was an integral part of her life. She was active in P.T.A. for many years serving in every office. The Magnolia Garden Club was very special to her. She was honored by the club when she was 98 years old, for her service and leadership during her 54Years of membership.

Mama Mary, as she was called by her grandchildren, and their friends as well, supported all their interests and participated in their many activities. She could always be seen at school functions, sporting events and dance recitals. Her family was very dear to her.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband of 50 years, a sister, Katherine Ryals, a brother Marvin Ryals, and a sister-in-law, Doris Ryals, and a nephew Jay Raymond Ryals.

Her survivors who will cherish their memories include a son, Michael Terry Rape (Lynda) and a daughter, Sandee Strickland (Neil) of Brunswick. Her grandchildren are Joni Rape Crane of Brunswick, Hal Rape (Cassie) of Warner Robins, Kayce Strickland Russell (Richard) of St. Simons Island, and Cori Strickland Jernigan (John) of Brunswick.

She is survived by three great- grandchildren, Kelly Crane Chapman and Wesley Crane of Brunswick and her namesake, Mary Ryals Russell of St. Simons Island.

Her great-great-grandchildren are Hayden Chapman, Maisie Crane and Kimisie Crane of Brunswick. She is also is survived by brothers, Frank Ryals (Nell), and Raymond Ryals and two nephews, Jimmy Ryals and John Ryals (Ann) and their children Johnny, Jamie and Ashley all of Warner Robins.

The family would like to thank Dr. John Laws and Dr. Michael Butler and their staffs for the excellent care and concern over the years.

We would also like to thank the staff at Marsh’s Edge for the fun and friendship we all shared over the last 6 months. The compassion and respectful care that our mother received will never be forgotten.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.

The family will receive friends Sunday evening July 24, 2011 from

6PM until 8 PM at Edo Miler and Sons Funeral Home. www.edomillerandsons.com