Mary Gresham Rakestraw

Ms. Mary Gresham Rakestraw, age 82, of Wrightsville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Monday, November 14, 2022.  A family only graveside service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, November 16 ^th in Brownwood Cemetery.

Mary, lovingly known as MeMe, was born and reared in the Reynolds and Thomaston area of Georgia. Her family moved to Atlanta where she graduated from Hoke Smith High School.  Mary began her working career at the State Capital in the Department of Education in teacher certification. She was a longtime resident of Forest Park, where she raised a family and worked at Fort Gilliam.  In 1980, Mary moved to be near family in Wrightsville and began a 35-year career at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin.  She began as a ward clerk and retired as a medical transcriptionist. She loved working in her garden and fishing; however, her passion was being with family, especially her grandchildren.  Mary is predeceased by her parents, George Otis Gresham and Ellie Elizabeth Tucker Gresham and siblings, Jimmy E. Gresham and Richard L. Gresham.

Survivors include her children, Timothy Rakestraw and his wife Michelle of Cochran and Melissa R. Allen and her husband Don of Sandersville; grandchildren, Ashley Wiggins and her husband Ryan and Lexi Allen (Spencer Knight); great-grandchild, Rylee Wiggins; and siblings, Ronald T. Gresham and his wife Joan of Wrightsville, George M. Gresham of Decatur, Gary W. Gresham and his wife Jean of Dexter and Phyllis G. Sloan and her husband Don of Wrightsville.

The family would like to send special thanks to Pruitt Hospice, Marilyn, Yolanda, Ashley, Tammy, Tiffany, Kathaleen, and Lynn for being their special angels.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.   Leave an online condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com