Mary R. Reagan

95 years ago, on Feb 24, 1931, in Birmingham Alabama, a girl was born to Mary Elizabeth (Spradley) Jernigan and Clyde James Jernigan. They named her Mary after her mother and Ruth after a favorite cousin. And there Mary Ruth (Jernigan) Reagan’s journey began.

She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1952, and was an active member of the Alabama Million Dollar Band, playing the clarinet, under Director Carleton K. Butler. He took the band to Washington DC to play for President Truman’s inauguration. Mary Ruth fell in love with the city and, after graduating college, moved to DC. After a short time, she met the love of her life, James Gordon Reagan. They were married within 8 months. Gordon would say, “do you want to go …” and Mary Ruth would simply say, “let me get my purse” before he finished his question. Their journey took them from a mountaintop in Pakistan, to India, to Greece, settling in Vienna, Virginia, before retiring in Williamsburg VA. While in Virginia, Mary Ruth continued to travel and enjoy her research into genealogy for many years. In 2013, Mary Ruth and Gordon moved to Woodstock, Georgia to be near 3 of their 4 children.

Her journey on earth ended on Feb 26, 2026, preceded in death by her husband of almost 66 years of marriage, her parents, many cousins, and friends. She is survived by her four children: Mike Reagan (Brenda), of Panama City Beach, FL; and Sherry McKenney (Neal), Mark Reagan, and Sandy Phillips (Brad), all of Woodstock, Georgia. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michelle Bishop (Chris), Jennifer Whitney (Scott), Katie Stevens (John), Casey Phillips, Kyle Phillips, and Evan Phillips; and her great-grand-children: Lily, Laura, and Christopher Bishop; and Reagan and Ryan Whitney.

Mary Ruth was a strong woman who impressed those she met with her strength of character, her wit, her kindness, her devotion to her large family, and her tales of fairies. A celebration of life will be held on March 7th, in Acworth, Georgia. She will be greatly missed! Roll Tide!