Martha Augusta Gay

Augusta Hixon Gay, 95, of Decatur passed away peacefully with her children at her side on Thursday, May 1. Born in Miller County, Georgia on October 27, 1918 while the pecans were falling from the trees, and raised in her beloved Cuthbert, Georgia. She was one of five children to H. Brooke Hixon and Cleo Swann Hixon. She had four siblings, Christine Hixon Rutland, Swann Hixon, Brooke Hixon, and Joy Hixon Taylor. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Joy Sunday School Class. Pallbearers, representing Augusta's brothers and sisters will be Blake Coty, Deker Hixon, Cary Rutland, James Truitt Rutland, Kirk Rutland, Ward Rutland, and Richard Taylor. Augusta was president of her junior and senior classes at Cuthbert High School, where she starred on the girls basketball team. She graduated from Cuthbert High School, Andrew College, Vanderbilt University, and Emory University. Augusta met her sweetheart, Leonard Gay, Sr. on a blind date. On the way home from their first date, he told his best friend that Augusta was the one that he would marry one day. At the time of Leonard's passing in 1999, they had been married for 58 joyful years. Augusta is survived by her children, daughter Emily June Gay; son Leonard "Buddy" Gay, Jr. and his wife, Cherry Gay; grandson, Michael Stafford Gay; and granddaughter, Emily Rose Gay. Augusta was a school teacher and involved community member. Before raising children, she taught school in several Georgia cities, culminating at Druid Hills School in Dekalb County. As a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur and the Joy Sunday School class, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School for the Triple L class and serving in outreach missions. For over 60 years, she enjoyed programs on current events, book clubs, garden clubs, bridge clubs, and DAR. One of Augusta's great joys was attending and helping to organize the Swann Family Thanksgiving Reunion, which celebrated its 130th anniversary this past Thanksgiving. In Augusta's 95 beautiful years, she never missed one. She was a very devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who loved the Lord dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. Decatur, GA 30030. Funeral service will be held Sunday May 4th, at 3pm at Decatur First Baptist Church, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be Monday afternoon, May 5th at 3pm EDT at New Park Cemetery, Fort Gaines, GA. The family will have visitation Saturday evening, May 3rd, from 5 to 7pm at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, Decatur, GA.





Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033