Mary Legay Andrews

Mary LeGay Moate Andrews went home to be with the Lord on September 24th, 2021 at the age of 91. She is preceded in death by two of her three children, Laura Leigh Andrews Swinger and William Neil Andrews as well as her parents Luther Bass Moate and Mary Beatty Moate and sisters Elizabeth Moate Baxter, Carolyn Moate Fleming Putnam, Patricia Moate Kennedy. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Andrews Benton; grandchildren Rachel Swinger Sposito, Aaron Russell Swinger, William Foster Swinger, Franklin Andrews Benton; great grandchildren Marleigh Ray Swinger, Lola Kate Sposito, Lara Denise Swinger, Wilder Clyde Swinger, Hudson Kole Middleton and Grayson Levi Middleton; nephews Sidney Williams Kennedy, Jr., Alan Moate Kennedy as well as great nieces/nephews Allison Fleming, Matthew Fleming, Brandy Kennedy Heinzen, Taylor Kennedy, Valen Kennedy. Born January 9th, 1930 in the same home that she would spend her life in, “Gay” was gifted with much musical talent and a passion for the arts. After the untimely death of her parents when she was still a teenager, she was raised primarily by her older sisters and would leave home to attend the University of Georgia at the age of 16. She obtained a musical degree there and met William “Red” Andrews who she would later wed and grow a family with. She spent many years teaching music and piano, both in the public school system and giving private lessons. She was known to play piano regularly for her church and her family at gatherings. Music was at the core of what brought her joy and fostered her resilience. Granny Gay also took much pride in her homestead. She desired for it to be a place for family to gather and find rest as part of her legacy. She loved hosting holiday celebrations and ‘doing it all’ herself as an act of love. She was an incredible cook, always striving for perfection in the meals she prepared for her family. As her grandchildren and great grandchildren have lovingly recalled, “She gave the biggest hugs and made the best pancakes!” Most importantly, she taught us all about what it meant to have ‘grit’, to face adversity and loss with determination and strength of will, to honor the memories of those loved and lost through storytelling and to let music be a salve to the soul. May you be playing with the heavenly hosts until we see you again! A memorial service will be held for her on Saturday November 27, 2021 at 11:00am at the Devereux Methodist Church. Family and friends are invited to attend. A memorial fund will be established to revive the live music program at Devereux United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Gay M. Andrews Memorial Fund.

Mary Legay Andrews

January 9, 1930 - September 24, 2021