Marshallville, Georgia- Mrs. Mary Ann Paster of 220 South Street passed away at the Houston Medical Center on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.& Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary of the Piney Grove Baptist Church of Montezuma, Georgia. Burial will follow in Colonel Felton Cemetery of Marshallville, Georgia.

HER LIFE

She was born on June 8, 1933, to Vallie Lee (Candy) Harris and W. D. Walker. She carried the last name of her step-father, Thomas Stevenson. The entry in the 1940 census shows that she lived with her beloved grandma, Millie Ann Harris, along with her much admired uncles. Candy had moved to Albany GA with her husband Thomas. W. D. later married her other Mom, Bessie.

Her first love and the father of her oldest child was Dennis Smith of Fort Valley. She later met, fell in love with and married our dad, J. D. Paster. They married on January 10, 1959. Daddy died on December 19, 1992.

Piney Grove Baptist has always been her home. Mom went to school at Piney Grove but she failed to graduate. The year she was to graduate, they added another year onto the curriculum and she refused to walk to school another year. In her mind, she was finished! Looks like she's always had that trait. We don't have to wonder where Sheila got it from.

HER LEGACY

Born and reared as an only child, she vowed that if and when she had a child of her own, he or she would never be lonely. That's why there are eight of us, six girls and two boys. I've heard her point out on more than one occasion that we all finished school, no drunks, no drug addicts, no smokers, no murderers, and only one of us has ever spent a night in jail. With the exception of Florence and Linda, we all have served this great country. Sheila served as a military spouse (Darryl).

Mom's legacy doesn't slow down with us eight. There are 25 grandchildren (15 girls and 10 boys) plus one who adopted herself into the family and has the nerve to claim to be the favorite.

This great legacy is picking up speed with 32 great-grandchildren (15 girls and 17 boys). I didn't add but two of Tony's kids in this count because I've never been able to pin him down with a number. I'm guessing there are about half a dozen of them. Maybe he'll tell the truth one day. The oldest great grand (Juwon) is a college graduate and currently serving in the military. Simone gave her the only set of twins (Jordan and Morgan) in 2009. Shelisse gave her the last great-grand (Rylan) five months ago. We're expecting two more by the end of summer (Veronica and Julius). We just learned that there are two great-great grandchildren by Travis.

Because of Mom and her love for her family, we get together every month. We plan and follow an annual calendar of events. The 2013 calendar had a different spin than the traditional calendar; it was called "Crazy Mixed Up Days". We celebrated St Patrick's Day in January, Father's Day in February; I still wonder why they wouldn't go along with Thanksgiving in July.

DAUGHTERS AND SONS: Annie Florence Smith (Harvey Jr, deceased) Oglesby; Barbara Ann Paster, Cynthia Renee Paster, and Steve Paster of Marshallville. Jacquelyn S. Paster (Alexis) Douglas and Sheila Hall of Fort Valley. Linda Laverne Paster (John, deceased) McKenzie of Kathleen. Ronnie Derrick Paster of McDonough.

GRANDS: Predita Oglesby (Stevie) Howard, Latonya Oglesby (Vince) Bullard, Tony Leon Paster, Yalonda Douglas, Helen Simone Douglas (Marcus) Mathews, Phillip Harris, Antwann Delviccio Fuller, Veronica Paster (Anthony) Ellington, Willie Jarrod Everett, Javon Keyshawn McKenzie, Jamal Vanquez Paster, LaCyndra Fabrai Paster, Kikiona Charqueal McGhee Paster, Julius DeJuan (Lauren) Paster, Janeica Wessine Paster, Darius Jamir Hall, Jadeira Shelisse Hall, Dajimon Samia Hall, Andrekia Kiona Paster (Jeremy) Westberry, Stephen Trevor Paster, Karmena Meshelle Paster, Brizhane Fredericka Paster, Jacquez Decarrio Paster, Jatalia Jeana Ball and Samantha Brown (favorite wannabe).

GREAT GRANDS: Desmond R. Howard, Juwon M. Bullard, Justin M. Bullard, Jaylon M. Allen, Alecia D. Allen, Madison S. Mathews, Jordan A. Mathews, Morgan K. Mathews, Bernisha Harris, Damonte J. Brown, Ayjah R. Burden, McKenzie Burden, Willie Jarrod Everett Jr, Devin Everett, JaCeon Everett, Javon Paster, Arianna Paster, Allison Hall, Janiya Westberry, Jewun Westberry, Ashanti Paster, Ayanna Ellison, Rylan Hardrick, Alaysia Paster, Travis Spivey, Langston Tony Paster, Amariah Thomas, Zyan Harden, Ahmad Fuller, Anthony Ellington, Brian Ellington, Yori Mathews, Avery Ellington due May 2016, and Baby Paster due July 2016.

GREAT-GREAT GRANDS: Tristen Spivey and Trayvon Spivey due July 2016.

After listing all those names, I can hear you thinking, "Dang, did they have to go there?" Yes I did, family meant everything to my Mom. Did she get tired of us, yes she did. If you knew Mae, you know she didn't mind letting us know when to leave with all that fuss.

OTHER

Grandma Bessie gave her the siblings she wanted. Uncle JT preceded her in death. John (Mattie) Walker proudly sticks out his chest as the patriarch of this family. Her sisters are Minnie Sneed, Katie Collier and Jeanette Walker. Aunt Grace (Felman, deceased) Paster has been a sister, neighbor, co-worker and friend. When we told folk our last name was Paster, they couldn't tell if we belonged to Grace or Mae Anna. It didn't matter to us, we were sisters and brothers, all fourteen of us. Ella Mae, Junior, Mae, Frances, Terry, Dia and Mary were indeed our first cousins/friends.

I must mention these three devoted cousins of hers: Jimmie Harris, Betty Harris Paster and Edward Harris who looked to his Aunt Candy as a mom.

There are numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews.

HER ILLNESS/DEATH

Around 2010, Mom had surgery for a brain aneurysm. Supposedly, the surgery was successful but she suffered a major stroke while in recovery. She initially went to the nursing home for rehabilitative therapy. Once there, that Mae Anna streak showed up and she refused to cooperate with her therapists. Her physical condition declined and she required the aid of a wheelchair. Even then she continued to enjoy outings with her family. More mini strokes followed along with a slew of other ailments until she became bedridden and her doctors advised against taking her out.

Late Monday, April 4, 2016, she returned to the hospital for her final visit. This time, there wasn't any fighting, she was tired, her heart was working too hard and fast to fight the pneumonia and system-wide infection. Shortly after 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, she quietly made her transition home. Her family was at her side and went as far as we could go with her. Now we have the charge to carry on the legacy she started; to be the strong family she demanded of us; to be there for each other; to love one another.