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Obituary For Mary Jones Sledge
Mrs. Mary Jones Sledge, 107, of Lanett, AL, gained her wings into eternal rest on September 19, 2024 at her residence.
Mary Jones was born December 9, 1916 to Anna Smith and Frank Jones. Mary was the last of eight children, born in Cusseta, Alabama, "The Garden Spot of the World,” in Chambers County. Surrounded by loved ones, Mary transitioned peacefully on September 19, 2024 at her residence in Lanett, Alabama.
She was reared by her aunt,Mollie Martin from the age of 9 months old and resided in Water-Works, where later her sisters, Lottie and Melmer joined. She also attended West Point School System.
In March of 1939 she married Blues Sledge "The Boy" that brought ice into the house and picked up the clothes for cleaning. That became her "Honey" from that union were four children.
She left school to become a caregiver to her aunt when she became ill. At a young age Mama joined Mt. Nebo in Cusseta, Alabama. Later she moved to Ebenezer Baptist Church where she stayed until the church split and in 1946 she became a charter member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. Here she served in the Senior Choir, Missionary Society and Pastor Aide Committee.
During her life some of her loves and passions were church, childcare, and baking. She was one of "the Jones Girls" a fashionista before there was a thing. The last child in her care was Julie Atkinson Broukner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Blues Sledges; her parents, Anna Smith and Frank Jones; sisters, Lottie and Melmer and sister-in-law,Daisy Lane.
Left to honor, mourn her loss, and carry on her legacy are her children, Otheria Sledge of Lanett, Alabama, Mitchell Sledge(Von) of Atlanta, Georgia, Julia McLemore(Teddy) of Lanett, Alabama; grandchildren Antonio Sledge(Charlanda) of Albany, Georgia, Vernon Sledge(Christine) of Pflugerville, Texas, Torry Sledge of Atlanta, Georgia, Patia Odom of Atlanta, Georgia, Kameko McLemore of Lanett, Alabama, Nayati McLemore(Brittany) of Montgomery, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Raushaunnah of Atlanta, Georgia, Andrecia Gilliam(Justin) of LaGrange, Georgia, Kayla Bush & Chandler Sledge of Atlanta, Georgia, Andre' Gilliam Jr. of West Point, Georgia, Deon Sledge of Pflugerville, Texas, Grayson Odom of Atlanta, Georgia, great great grand-children, De'Nija Williams of LaGrange, Georgia, Maklynn Emfinger, RaeLeigh Hardnett, & Jayden Phillips of LaGrange, Georgia, Cheyenne Dobbs of Atlanta, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relative and friends.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Sledge will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET in the sanctuary of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, 420 North 12th Avenue, Lanett, AL 36863 with Dr. Frederick James, Pastor and Bishop Sherman Young, Eulogist.
Interment will be held in the Pine Hill Cemetery, 2235 22nd Avenue, SW, Lanett, AL.
Public viewing will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 from 2:00 p.m until 6:00 p m ET at the mortuary.
Final arrangements by M. W. Lee Mortuary of West Point, GA.
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James Bruckner sent Rose Romanesque Bouquet for Mary Jones Sledge - September 27, 2024
In memory of the name and face of love. Julie and Jim Bruckner
Heartfelt Condolences, Blessings and L💓ve To The Entire Family and Friends. Praying God's Strength, Peace and Comfort To Be Unto You ALLL. 'Miss' Mary Was A Beautiful/Sweet/Kind Person. My Family and Everybody L💓ed Her. She Would Often Talk About/Telling Me About When My Brother and I Were Young Kids. She Said She Admired how Our Mom and Dad Were Training/Teaching/Rearing Us to Have/Use/Show Good Manners ALLL The Time. She Would Tell Me Exactly how We Would Say 'Good Morning/Good Evening' In Unison. To God Be The GLOOOORRRRYYYY For 'Miss' Mary Sledge.
Precious memories, how they linger How they ever flood my soul In the stillness, of the midnight Precious sacred scenes unfold.
I grew up in Pilgrim Baptist Church during the 1970's and 80's. And I have so many fond memories of my colleagues and the adults who called Pilgrim their spiritual home. Sis. Mary Sledge stands out in that sea of memorable adults. As a junior usher, I shall never forget that warm smile and bright eyes of hers that would greet me on Sundays when I opened the door for her to enter the sanctuary. Hers was a genteel spirit. She would flash a smile and a nod to other worshippers as she made her way down the aisle to her usual seat on the right hand side facing the pulpit. During the winter months, she would be clad in her floor length fur with matching hat. On first Sundays, she would blend in with the women of the Senior choir in their uniformed royal blue dresses adorned with red corsages.
Sis. Sledge's keen sense of fashion notwithstanding, it was her smile and bright eyes that made such an indelible impression on me. In her own quiet unassuming manner, she validated me as a developing Christian. I can only assume that those same bright eyes and infectious smile are now validating the saints who have gone on before us.
May God keep you family as you mourn her loss and more importantly celebrate her more than a hundred year legacy—warm smiles and bright eyes, the makings of precious memories.
No words can express how sorry I am for your loss. May the love of God provide hope and comfort in your hour of need. As you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry, knowing that each tear is a note of love rising to the heavens.
- Rev. Anthony Cook, Chaplain | Gentiva Hospice
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