Mary Dunning Cannon

Mary Dunning Cannon, 83, of Decatur, Georgia, died Saturday, March 5, at Hospice Atlanta. The elder of twin daughters born to Harry James and Mera Neary Cannon, Mary was a native of Asheville, North Carolina, but spent her growing-up years in Albany and Augusta, Georgia; Dothan, Alabama; Lynn Haven, Florida; and Pelham, Georgia.

An honor graduate of Pelham High School, Mary obtained her bachelor degree from Bessie Tift College in Forsyth (now merged with Mercer University in Macon). She received masters degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, and George Peabody College for Teachers (now a part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville. In addition, she earned a Specialist in Education degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Employment included teaching elementary school in Porterdale, Georgia, and serving as education director at Whiting Avenue Baptist Church, Charlotte. In 1959 Mary was appointed by the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention as a missionary to Japan. There she served as a teacher at the Baptist Girls School in Kokura and later as a church worker in Fujisawa. Returning stateside, Mary was employed by the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board in Atlanta (now North American Mission Board in Alpharetta) in a variety of ministries.

During vacations and following retirement Mary demonstrated love for travel, visiting U.S. locations from California to New York and Alaska to Hawaii. She also toured many points overseas, especially in Europe and Asia. Trips included mission service and visiting missionary friends as well as sight-seeing. A massive number of snapshots and slides, mementos of her travels, continued to give her great pleasure.

An active member of Clairmont Hills Baptist Church in Decatur, Mary taught Sunday school in children's and adult departments, worked in Vacation Bible School, and led in missionary education for girls (GA) and adult women (WMU) for many years.

A highlight of the year for Mary was her church's annual Living Nativity in December. She had a role in the production and also sewed most of the biblical-style costumes. Another special ministry was sewing "kid-friendly" pillowcases for distribution at the children's hospital.

Mary treasured visits with family members. Predeceased by her parents, Mary is survived by two sisters: Mera C. Hall (twin) of Madison, Mississippi, and Sara C. Wood (Edwin) of Ocala, Florida. Other survivors include three nieces and five nephews, eight great nieces and five great nephews, and a host of her "missionary family."

Arrangements include a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park in Atlanta, with Chaplain Jeff Nash, of Fort Worth, leading. A memorial service at Clairmont Hills Baptist Church on Wednesday afternoon, March 9, will include visitation at 1:00 p.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Daniel Hall, of Madison, Mississippi, will officiate, and other nieces and nephews will participate. Turner and Son Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions through a local Baptist church or to Hospice Atlanta Center, 1244 Park Vista Drive NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033