Mary Ann Marks

Mary Ann White Marks, 83, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia. Mary Ann was born March 28, 1935, in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, to Mary Louise and Scott White. The third of seven children, she was raised on a cotton farm just outside of Ripley, Tennessee in Orysa, surrounded by a large, loving, Christian family. Her childhood influences laid the foundation for her lifelong love of serving others. She graduated from Ripley High School where she was an honor student and member of the Beta Club. Following graduation Mary Ann went to work in Ripley, as a legal secretary. After two years working for a local attorney, she moved to Memphis where she took college courses at night and honed her skills as legal assistant to a prominent attorney. It was during this time she met her husband, Dr. Tom Marks. Married on December 27, 1960, the couple lived in Memphis while Mary Ann continued her legal work as Tom finished medical school and completed his Campbell Clinic Orthopedic residency at John Gaston Hospital. The couple moved to San Francisco for a short time where Tom attended a hand fellowship before moving to Atlanta, the city they would call home and raise their three children; Tom, Miles, and Ginger.

As a newcomer to Atlanta, Mary Ann was quick to get involved in her community. She and Tom joined St. Anne’s Episcopal Church where she immediately began her volunteer work.

She was a member of the Episcopal Church Women, serving as president, and served on many committees over the years including Altar Guild and the Pastoral Care Committee; she and Tom co-chaired the church’s Semi-Centennial celebration. She led efforts to establish a senior living center as an extension of the St. Anne’s community. St. Anne’s Terrace was established in 1987 and she served on its Board from 1990-2017, holding every position including President. On the diocesan level she was on the Atlanta Diocesan Board of Episcopal Women and the Camp Mikell Board. While she loved her work at St. Anne’s she was particularly dedicated to the Red Cross Blood Drive she organized the Sunday before Christmas for many years. When asked why the Blood Drive was held so close to Christmas, she would simply explain that it was the time of year blood was most needed. Driven to be productive and willing to lead, Mary Ann has left her mark on the St. Anne’s community, church, and Terrace.

In addition to her dedication to St. Anne’s, Mary Ann volunteered for countless other organizations. She lent her time and skills for many years to the Atlanta Speech School, assisting as teacher of deaf students and helping with the school’s then fundraiser, the Atlanta Steeplechase. A leader in organizations of physicians’ spouses, she was a founding member and first president of the Georgia Baptist Medical Guild whose members volunteered at the hospital and raised money for nursing school scholarships. Mary Ann received the Giving Heart Award for her dedication and outstanding service to the Guild. She was president of the Auxiliary Medical Association of Atlanta and later joined the Board of the Auxiliary Medical Association of Georgia when she took on a year-long project as editor of Georgia Land, a cookbook with recipes and artwork from throughout the state with proceeds benefitting health- related projects. She served for many years with the Parents Association at Pace Academy.

Mary Ann also enjoyed her memberships in varied clubs, including Sewing Club, Book Club, Bridge Club, Riveridge Garden Club, and Inquiring Investors Club. She enjoyed live theater, the symphony and the opera, the Botanical Gardens, the Cyclorama, and The Atlanta History Center. She especially loved attending events with her many friends. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, listening to or watching every game during baseball season.

Mary Ann’s greatest love was serving her family and she put her heart into everything she did. She experienced every holiday, performance, game or activity with great love. Meal time was very important to Mary Ann. All were welcome at her table which was set with placemats, cloth napkins, and silver to make every meal special. She always made time for her family and often found herself in long conversations being of great counsel to them. She adored her grandchildren and loved each for their own uniqueness. She was the very heart and soul of her family.

Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Thomas Windrow Marks, Sr., her children Tom Marks, Jr. and wife Dannell of Columbus, GA; Miles Marks, Sr. and wife Jenny, of Atlanta; Ginger Marks Collier and husband Dabney of Memphis, TN; grandchildren Mattie Marks and Pepper Marks; Molly Marks, Miles Marks, Jr., Annie Marks, and Ella Marks; Stuart Collier, Dabney Collier, and Claiborne Collier; her siblings Bob White of Ripley, TN, Sue White Chalk and husband Louis of Ripley, TN and Joy White Cook and husband Mickey of New Orleans, LA and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her infant son Matthew Marks, her parents Mary Louise and Scott White, and siblings Doris White Brown, Scott White, Jr. and Carol White Benson.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 12 at 2pm at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. All are invited to a reception in the church parish hall following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Anne’s Terrace, 3100 Northside Parkway, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327.