Mary Ann Denmark

Mary Ann Denmark, 90, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. A native of Savannah, Georgia, she lived there until her marriage in 1954. She and her family lived in several places until moving to Florida in 1970. She was registered at Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah, Georgia on the Cradle Roll and was active there until adulthood. A lifelong Baptist, affiliating with the local churches wherever she lived, she has been a member of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church since 1984.

She graduated from Savannah High School in 1950 with honors and was president of the senior class. She graduated with honors from Armstrong College in Savannah, Mercer University in Macon, and Florida State in Tallahassee where she received her Master’s Degree in Social Work. During college, she continued being a leader in various social and professional organizations and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority.

She served in Nigeria West Africa for three years with her husband for a special assignment with the Foreign Mission Board. She retired as Executive Director of Children's Home Society in 1995 after 21 years of service in various positions. While there, she was honored as Social Worker of the Year, FSU Field Instructor of the Year, and Outstanding Speaker for the United Way, as well as other honors for her advocacy for abused and neglected children. She was in much demand as a speaker at churches, civic organizations, and social agencies.

Her uncle and aunt, Courtenay and Carolyn Bythewood, played a huge supportive role in her life, offering steadfast love, encouragement, and wise counsel.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hayse Alexander McGrady, only sibling brother Don Lewis McGrady, and only niece, Cynthia Ruth McGrady, all of Savannah. She is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 67 years, Iler Dean Denmark, and her beloved three children, Lesley Ann Silvestris(Paul), Mary Sharon Gaines(the late Dale Gaines), and Dean Hayse Denmark(Katie). Six grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Ward(Braden), Michelle Leigh Silvestris, Katherine Delaney Gaines, Dale Wayne Gaines II, Caroline Denmark Gaines, Isaiah Alan Parks, and Destan Hayse Denmark.

Also surviving is her nephew, Don Alexander McGrady of Savannah and a few close maternal cousins who she dearly loved. Since her family was small, she also felt blessed to have several nieces and nephews from the Denmark family that she cherished as her own.

A Celebration of Life for Mary will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM in Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, 4001 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church or Community Hospice and Palliative Care.

To view the memorial video, please copy and paste the link below in your browser:

https://vimeo.com/674965198/f55eb2e8f2

Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME OF MANDARIN 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223 (904) 288-0025.