Mary Ellington Kincaid

January 30, 1937 – July 9, 2026

Mary Ellington Kincaid, an amazing, independent, and profoundly loving matriarch, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, at the age of 89. She leaves behind a legacy defined by deep faith, an adventurous spirit, and a family that she nurtured with every ounce of her generous heart.

A Strong Start and a Lifelong Passion.

Born Mary Rob Ellington on January 30, 1937, in Montgomery, Alabama, Mary was the cherished daughter of Robert and Mary Frances Ellington. As an only child, she was the absolute apple of her father’s eye. Her dad raised her to be confident and strong—lessons she took to heart.

From her father, she also inherited a relentless love for Auburn football. She grew up attending games with him and spent her college years on the Plains, graduating with a degree in Education. To her final days, she was an avid fan who loved nothing more than letting out a proud, joyful "War Eagle!"

An Auburn Romance.

It was during her time as a student at Auburn that Mary met the love of her life, her lifelong partner, and her best friend, John Kincaid. Their romance actually started with a blind date Mary desperately did not want to attend; she only agreed to it as a favor to a friend. She often retold the story of walking down the stairs where John was waiting to meet her, turning to her friend, and muttering in a thoroughly frustrated whisper, "And he’s got red hair?!"

John was a military veteran who had returned to school, making him a bit older, entirely confident, and utterly unfazed by her initial skepticism. In fact, by their second date, John boldly informed Mary that she was going to marry him. Mary’s immediate response was that he was completely crazy. As it turned out, he was just crazy about her, and that red-headed vet successfully swept her right off her feet.

Mary graduated ahead of John, but their true partnership shone through immediately. Demonstrating the independent and supportive nature that defined her, she went straight to work teaching second grade to support them both while John finished up his degree.

Over the next 67 wonderful years, they walked hand-in-hand through life as a team, sharing an unbreakable bond built on deep friendship, laughter, and mutual respect. They began their lifelong journey with a honeymoon hiking in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Looking back on a lifetime of rugged treks and global travels, Mary used to laugh and say, "Our honeymoon was hiking in the Smoky Mountains... I should have known right then what I was getting into!"

Force of Nature, Business, and Sport.

Mary was a force to be reckoned with. After raising three confident boys, she decided she wasn’t done building things. She launched her own business, Ritzy Rugs, which she ran with immense success for 15 years before retiring.

When she wasn't running a business or a household, she was ruling the tennis courts. Mary was highly competitive, playing doubles at the top level of ALTA in Atlanta. When it finally came time to hang up her racket, she channeled that sharp mind and social spirit into playing duplicate bridge with her dear friends.

A Ministry of Love, Food, and Mae Mae's "Pocket Money."

For Mary, cooking and caring for others was her ultimate love language. The Kincaid home had a revolving door, and she had a magical way of making her sons’ friends and girlfriends feel like instant family members. Guests were encouraged to come hungry, and they were guaranteed to leave full—both in their bellies and their hearts.

Her generosity was legendary, especially to her grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Mae Mae." It became a beloved family tradition: whenever you said goodbye to Mae Mae, you were guaranteed a warm, enveloping hug, quickly followed by her stealthily slipping some cash into your pocket when your parents weren't looking.

Mary's hands were rarely still. When she and John weren't heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies or traveling the globe, they were working side-by-side in their yard. Their dedication turned their property into a masterpiece, which was featured many times on the Dunwoody garden tour of homes.

A woman of profound faith, Mary grew up Baptist and later found a vibrant spiritual home at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. There, she served faithfully as a Stephen Minister, providing high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to those experiencing difficult times in their lives. She truly loved everyone she met and gave back to those in need.

Family Left Behind and Reunited.

Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, John Kincaid; her son, Dave Kincaid; her daughters-in-law, Mary Kincaid and Dr. Ann Kincaid; her seven beloved grandchildren who adored their Mae Mae: Zach Kincaid, Lauren Kincaid, Courtney Rowan, Easton Kincaid, Ledger Kincaid, Wren Kincaid, and Bauer Kincaid; and her two precious great-grandchildren, Aubrey Kincaid and Christian Kincaid.

She is preceded in death and joyfully reunited with her parents, Robert and Mary Frances Ellington; her beloved sons, John Kincaid and Bob Kincaid; and her cherished grandson, Bryan Rowan.

Mary Kincaid lived life out loud, loved without reservation, and left the world a much brighter, warmer place. She will be deeply missed, but her strength and Mae Mae's signature love live on in the family she built.

A Graveside Service will be held at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, US, on July 15, 2026, at 1:00 pm