Mary "Maggie" Jones Marchant

Mary Magdalene “Maggie” Jones Marchant passed away April 17, 2015 after a brief illness. Born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 27, 1931 to Ada and George W. Jones, Sr., she moved to Tuscumbia, Alabama as a young girl. Mary graduated from Deshler High School in 1949 where she participated in the School’s Choral Department. She graduated from The University of North Alabama, with a Bachelor’s degree in Music, Business Education and Social Studies. Working full-time, Mary carried a full schedule of classes. She was the soprano soloist for “The Messiah” at UNA, the editor of the school newspaper and received the Turis Fidelis award upon graduation. Later, she earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from FSU.

Mary became the Music Teacher at Sneads High School where she met Jackie Marchant, who would become the love of her life and husband of 45 years. They were married October 29, 1954 at the First United Methodist Church in Killeen, Texas, where Jackie was stationed at Fort Hood. Mary was the Army Base’s music teacher where she taught the grandson of General George Patton.

Moving to Tallahassee the two started a family. Mary was the Music Teacher at Caroline Brevard Elementary School for over 30 years and was the school’s Teacher of the Year for the 1988-1989 school year. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching thousands of students the joys of making music. The Music Suite was named in her honor upon her retirement.

She was a charter member of Calvary United Methodist Church and a current member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, played in the Senior Hand Chimes, played piano for her Sunday School class and directed the NetKids choir for many years.

She was a past member of the Florida Elementary Music Teachers Association; Volunteer of the Year for Florida Retired Educators Association District 2 in 2008, a current member of the Leon-Wakulla Retired Teachers Association, the Tallahassee Symphony Society, Woman’s Club, Genealogy Society, and the Music Guild.

Mary loved people and never met a stranger. She was a big fan of FSU football, traveling, gardening, reading, socializing and volunteering.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Marchant of Tallahassee and son, Ray Marchant of Palm Springs, California. Mary is also survived by a sister-in-law, Martha Jones of Chattanooga, Tennessee, nephews Richard Jones, Steve Jones, Don Jones and a niece Janet Skates in addition to several great nephews and nieces.

In addition to her husband, a daughter, Mary Magdalene, also precedes her in death.

The Viewing will be Thursday, 5:00-7:00 PM at Culley’s Timberlane with burial on Friday, 10:00 AM CST at Pope Cemetery in Sneads. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, 10:00 AM at Trinity United Methodist Church with a reception immediately following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

1) Music Department, Sneads High School, 8066 Old Spanish Trail, Sneads, FL 32460.

2) Music Department, Deshler High School, 200 North Commons East, Tuscumbia, AL 35674

3) Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308