Mary Jim Ozburn

Mary Jim Ozburn, 91, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 1, 2023 at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital in Athens, GA with loving family by her side. True to her spirit, she remained sharp as a tack and quick-witted even in her final hours.

Born on September 19, 1931 in Oxford, GA to Lorena Ray Worsham and James Covington Calvert, Mary was a magnetic force of laughter, spunk, and light from the start. On October 22, 1949, at Allen Memorial Church in Oxford, Mary married Charles Edwin Ozburn of Monticello, GA. The couple moved to Atlanta where they raised three children and together owned and operated CE Ozburn Battery Company and Ozburn Auto Parts for more than 32 years. The couples’ entrepreneurial spirit carried forward to all three of their children and many of their seven grandchildren. Mary Jim and Edwin retired to their farm in Monticello where they hosted many memorable family events and shared their lives until Edwin’s death in 1997.

Mary felt blessed to experience another great love in the later years of her life with her partner, Mackey “Mack” Jones. The couple resided in The Villages, FL from 2008 until Mack’s death in July 2022. “Mack and Mary” enjoyed a vibrant, supportive community of friends in The Villages, and were members of a variety of community clubs. They will be remembered for gathering friends for regular card games and holiday get-togethers, and for their popular happy hour gatherings in the driveway.

Mary was a force of laughter. Known for her quick wit, her eyes sparkled with her contagious laugh. Whether she was sharing a favorite joke, funny story, or presenting a gag gift, laughter was her language of love. She enjoyed playing games and cards, taught Mah-Jongg up until the last month of her life, and proudly held the title of Mahjong tournament champion in The Villages. As a grandmother, “Memama” owned an original Nintendo game and delighted in regularly beating all of her grandkids at Duck Hunt and Mario Brothers. Her laughter will forever echo in the hearts of those she touched.

Mary was a force of spunk. She whipped around in a BMW Z3 convertible until she was 90 and was constantly engaged in new adventures. Whether she was taking a trip, trying a new recipe, dancing a mean jitterbug, playing a tune on her player piano, or painting in a new medium, she was an enthusiastic explorer and creator. Over the years she worked in stained glass, ceramics, woodworking, murals, pastel portraits, oils, and watercolor. She also took up Japanese ink painting and Zentangling in her later years. With a sharp and inquisitive mind, she managed her own finances and meticulously followed market trends. She was adept at social media, enjoyed watching the Discovery and History Channels on her smart TV, loved a good crossword puzzle, and communicated with her grandchildren with frequent texting on her latest smartphone.

Mary was a force of light. She had a natural green thumb and found great joy working in the garden and relaxing in the afternoon sun. She loved small creatures and nurtured any animal in need. Whether doctoring a beloved pet, feeding an orphaned fawn or incubating chicks, she effortlessly breathed a little life into whatever needed it. She was also a force of light for her family. Whether it was the bubble baths in her big whirlpool tub that became a rite of passage for her grandchildren, the comforting weekend ritual of homemade buttered biscuits, a well-timed letter, a wise word of advice, or showing up with a hug or plate of fried chicken in a time of despair, Mary regularly breathed life into her family and friends.

Mary moved to Athens, GA to be near family in September 2022 and enjoyed making many new friends at her residence at St. Mary’s Highland Hills Village.

Mary remained witty to the very end. As she woke up in the hospital on the morning of January 1, 2023 after the UGA Bulldogs narrowly eked out a nerve-wracking 42-41 victory the night before in a game against Ohio State in the 2022 Peach Bowl, she proclaimed to her daughter who was at her bedside, “I have given our family a great, great gift! I didn’t die during the UGA game!”

She passed away peacefully hours later.

In addition to Charles Edwin Ozburn and Mackey Jones, Mary was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucylle Calvert Langdon, and Ann Calvert Garvin.

Mary is survived by children Charles Calvert Ozburn, (Susan); Mary Catherine Tillman (David), and Emory Daniel Ozburn (Gretchen); grandchildren Kristen (Hank) McCord, Charlie Ozburn, Ashley (Matt) Steele, Cali (Robert) Brutz, Jason (Rachel) Ozburn, Danielle (Raymond) Faircloth, and Niki Ozburn (engaged to Clay Buchweitz); great-grandchildren Hank and Ella Kate McCord, Basil Stergiou Ozburn, Ches, Wilder, and Grady Steele, Mary Calvert, Della, and Rosie Brutz, Whit and Francie Ozburn, Brenton, Jack, and Mac Faircloth as well as a host of extended family including beloved nieces and nephews and many close friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Historic Smithonia Farm, 2289 Crawford Smithonia Rd., Colbert, Georgia 30628.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Disabled American Veterans or Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.