Mary McLanahan McGinty

Mary McLanahan McGinty, age 89, passed away Saturday, September 9, 2023 under the wonderful care of Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

She was born in Elberton to the late Julius Pope McLanahan and Ruth Lillian Acker McLanahan.  She lived most of her life in Elberton until her health began declining.  It was then she moved closer to her daughter and Willowood in Flowery Branch became her home.  It was there where she enjoyed good food and gained many precious friends.  While she still called Elberton home, Mary was a longtime member of First Baptist Church Elberton and could also be found worshiping across the street at Elberton First United Methodist Church.  

Mary was a lover of all of God’s creations- whether it be the blooms of beautiful flowers, the song of a cheerful bird, the love of a faithful pet, the peacefulness of the ocean’s waves, or the beauty found in the mountains.  She never missed a chance to work in her garden or to travel.  Mary had a love for life that sparkled in her striking blue eyes, something that even strangers took notice of.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Nelson Colley, Jr.; and her former husband, Joseph Benjamin McGinty, Jr.

She is survived by her two children, Margaret Colley Hart (Jeff) of Flowery Branch and Thomas William “Bill” Colley of Atlanta; four grandchildren, John Thomas “Tommy” Hart (Kim Mercer), Heather Alannah Yearwood (Tyler), Elizabeth Erin Craig (Steven), and Justin Noel Colley (Leslie); four great grandchildren, Makenzie Mercer, Madelyn Mercer, Jordan Craig, and Jake Craig; one sister, Clara Jean Wheeler of Concord, North Carolina; two nieces, Lois Wheeler Morris and Julia Wheeler; and two great nieces, Julia Poplin (Cody) and Katie Morris.  She is also survived by many loving cousins.  

A graveside service will take place at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in Elmhurst Cemetery.  Reverend Gary Purvis will officiate.  

While Mary loved and appreciated flowers, memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of Elbert County, P.O. Box 267, Elberton, GA 30635.  

Please sign the online guestbook at, www.hicksfuneral.com.

Arrangements for Mary McLanahan McGinty are in the care of Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elberton.