Mary Green Ripley

Mrs. Mary Green Ripley of Decatur, GA died peacefully Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 91 years of age.  She was a retired kindergarten school teacher at Decatur Presbyterian Children's Community.  She was born in Greenwood, S.C. July 13, 1915 to Dr. James Benjamin Green and Mame Gordon Barnett.  She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Francis M. Ripley of Decatur; son, F. Martin Riley, Jr. and wife Lonnie of Decatur; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lillian and James P. Watson, III of Tullahoma, TN; and son, James G. Ripley and wife Judy of Alpharetta, GA; seven grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.  She is also survived by sister, Dorothy Green Tribble of Chapin, SC.  She loved her family and her church.  She was especially drawn to young children and taught children music in Sunday school until age 80.  Some of her interests included reading, gardening, traveling with the Friendship Force, Life Enrichment, and leader of Camp Fire Girls.  She delighted in nature and the beauty of God's work.  She had a huge repertoire of hymns and children's songs and she taught and shared with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Mrs. Ripley grew up on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary, where her father was a professor.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 26th at Decatur Presbyterian Church Chapel.  Rev. Nath Briley will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbia Theological Seminary or to the Decatur Presbyterian Children's Community. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. Monday at A. S. Turner & Sons.