Mary Holladay Fondren

Mary Fondren went home to be with the Lord on November 26, 2014 following a short illness. She left behind her husband and friend of 66 years in marriage, John Gerald Fondren. She also leaves behind her sons, John Jr. (Carrie), Kenneth (Sally), Neal (Christy), and Alan (Deneise) and her daughter Marianne Putnam (Billy) along with 9 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and great grandchildren. She was dearly loved and was truly the glue that held everything together.

Mary was born on November 24, 1927. She graduated from Fort Deposit High and earned a B.A. in education at Judson College. She earned a Master of Education Degree from Montevallo and taught school for forty years. In Birmingham, she taught at Rocky Ridge Elementary and made a positive impact on many young lives. Teaching was truly her calling and it manifested itself in all areas of her life; as a mother, a professional teacher, and a grandmother.

Mary's faith in Jesus Christ was the focus of her life. She was an active member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church and Faith Sunday School Class.

Mary's hobbies were genealogy and gardening. She excelled in both. She belonged to several genealogical societies; she was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Confederacy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis C. and Lois Holladay, two brothers, Charles and Francis Holladay; a sister, Nancy Stroud; and a grandson, Jackson Hatton, Jr.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday November 29,2014 at 11 A.M. in the Conference Center at Shades Mountain Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Carter and Dr. Danny Wood officiating. The family will receive guests at 10:00 A.M. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Highway 119, Pelham, AL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the CHAPTERS Building Fund at Shades Mtn Baptist Church.