Mrs. Mary Alice Cole Hembree, 95, formerly of 308 Ridge Road, Hartwell, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, GA.

Born on June 20, 1924 in Hartwell, GA, she was the daughter of the late George Elmer "G.E." Cole and Irona Marett Cole.Mary was a proud graduate of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa, GA, Class of 1940.Mrs. Hembree was formerly employed with Hartwell Mills as a quality control manager and retired as a machine operator for Monroe Auto Equipment Company. She was a member of Reed Creek Baptist Church and a former SS teacher, Church Training teacher and WMU leader. Mary was a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother & grandmother. She loved her family and enjoyed taking care of them. For the last two years Mrs. Hembree has been living with her daughter, Barbara and son-in-law, Jessie in Murrayville GA, where she was blessed to have wonderful care.

Survivors include three daughters: Leotis Eddy of Dahlonega, GA, Barbara Bridges (Jessie) of Murrayville, GA, and Sherrie Rowland (Dean) of Gray, GA; three grandchildren: Ryan Eddy, Matthew Bridges (Julia), and Reagan Rowland; and three great-grandchildren: Landree Eddy, Cheyenne Bridges and Audrey Bridges; and several special nieces & nephews. Mrs. Hembree was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: James Howerton Hembree; a son-in-law, Paul Eddy; five brothers: Waymon Cole, Marett Cole, Emmett Cole, Elton Cole, and Milton Cole; and two sisters: Lorene Adams and Avis Cole.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Sam Gray officiating.Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.The family will be at their respective homes.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.