Mary Marcile Mashburn

Ms. Mary Marcile Mashburn, 94, of Cumming passed away on December 11, 2018. Born September 15, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Otis and Ruby Crowe Mashburn. She was baptized in 1940 at Beaver Ruin Baptist Church in Forsyth County. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Otis and Ruby Crowe Mashburn, sister and brother in law, Lillian Mashburn Petree and Ralph Petree, brother and sister in law, William (Billy) Mashburn and Drucilla Martin Mashburn, niece and nephew in law, Vicki Mashburn Benson and Jimmy Benson.

Ms. Mashburn was a 1943 graduate of Chestatee High School in Forsyth County and graduated from Young Harris College in 1945 where she studied teaching. After graduating, she taught school in Toomsboro, Georgia through 1946. After seeing a newspaper advertisement, Ms. Mashburn worked and trained at Roanoke Rapids Hospital, N.C., earning her Registered Nursing license in 1949. Later, she worked, as a nurse, at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida until 1951. In 1952 Ms. Mashburn joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as a nurse. She was stationed at several bases stateside and served overseas in Korea, England, North Africa, France and Japan. After serving for 20 years, she retired in 1972 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retirement, Ms. Mashburn attended Gainesville College and the Lanier Area Vocational-Technical School, and later North Georgia College and State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Craft Design in June 1985. In September 1985 Ms. Mashburn joined the U.S. Peace Corps and went to live in Sierre Leone in West Africa, teaching others about sustainable farming and gardening techniques. After returning home to Cumming, Georgia, after her time in the U.S. Peace Corps, Ms. Mashburn took additional art classes at North Georgia College and State University. In 1996 she became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Ms. Mashburn developed a great talent for clay sculpture and was featured in various art exhibits across the state. She was most well known for her renditions of traditional southern culture circa 1800-1900s with figures performing a variety of activities including chopping wood, gathering eggs, or playing musical instruments.

Aunt Marcile lived her life on her own terms. She had a plan, knowing her father received an Army pension of $50.00 a month, she decided to join the Air Force to later receive a pension. Another reason for joining the Air Force was to travel. She did just that.

Never marrying and having children, Aunt Marciles nieces and nephews became her surrogate children. She unselfishly took care of everyone that needed help. She even had a provision in her will to take care of her cat, Daisey. Aunt Marcile never met a dog or cat she didnt like.

When her sister-in-law, Drucilla, died, Aunt Marcile stepped up and learned what she needed to do to help raise Uncle Billys children. She didnt have to be asked.

When her brother-in-law, Ralphee, had back surgery and became partially paralyzed, she headed to Macon to help out. Aunt Marcile wasnt asked to, she just volunteered.

Aunt Marcile loved the mountains and knew her sister, Lillian, loved them as much. She would take her on annual, week-long trips up the Blue Ridge Parkway, knowing Lillian couldnt make it herself.

Aunt Marcile enjoyed visiting her Aunt Gym and Aunt Hazel. In her seventies she would drive to North Carolina to pick up one aunt and take her to visit the other aunt in Florida. Aunt Marcile enjoyed the trip because the two sisters werent able to visit each other, so she volunteered.

Aunt Marcile looked after everyone; but did not want anyone to do anything for her. She enjoyed having visitors and loved to chit-chat.

She loved the beauty of nature and the beauty of the world. She was always trying to learn new things until she died. If she sensed you needed help, she would give it.

We all will miss you, Rest in Peace, Aunt Marcile

Ms. Mashburn is survived by her sister in law, Gladys Hicks Mashburn, nephews Michael Petree, Randall Petree, Mark Mashburn, and Paul Mashburn; niece Dixie Petree; great nieces Elizabeth Benson Smith and Ashley Mashburn; Step-nieces Carolyn Satterfield and Sara Cagle; Step great nephew Cole Satterfield; step great nieces Chelsea and Madeline Cagle.

Visitation will be held at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming, Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with a memorial service immediately following visitation. Burial will be after the memorial service at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Forsyth County.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Marcile Mashburns name to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Cumming, GA.

Ingram Funeral Home Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements