Mary Virginia Gay

Miss Mary Virginia Gay, age 81, of the New Branch Community, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Community Hospice House in Vidalia following an extended illness. She was born in Savannah, grew up in New Branch, graduating from Lyons High School in 1963, and she was a graduate of Greenleaf Business College in Atlanta. She returned to Savannah in 1974, retiring after thirty years from AT&T formerly Southern Bell and returned home to New Branch in 2026. She was an active member of Life Church at Ardsley Park in Savannah where she sang in the choir, served as church treasurer, and was a member of the WMU. She enjoyed sports, especially the Atlanta Braves and the Savannah Bananas, watching game shows, but her favorites were Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and playing weekly canasta for many years with her friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Nelson Gay and Mary Will Rockett Gay; sister-in-law, Ida Lou Thompson Gay; and brother-in-law, Robert Fennell.

Miss Gay is survived by one brother, Roger Gay of New Ellenton, South Carolina; three sisters, Janice Gay Dixon and husband Richard of Vidalia, Jo Gay Fennell of New Branch, and Joyce Gay of Vidalia; one nephew, David Gay and wife Sherri of Aiken, South Carolina; one niece, Clarissa Dixon Zabarac and husband Mike of Midway; one great-niece, Karen Gay; one great-nephew, Fisher Zabarac; one great-great-nephew, Jett Gay; and numerous cousins.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 24th, 2026, at 11:00 at Mt. Moriah Church with Pastor Michael Kennedy and Pastor Jon Tillman officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Mt. Moriah Church on Friday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.             

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