Mary Stanford Tewell

Mary (Wall) Stanford TEWELL of Decatur, GA died peacefully on October 29, 2022 at age 89. Mary is survived by: her sons Hayden (Jean) of Collegeville, PA and Scott of Decatur, GA; four grandchildren Lydia, John, Adam and Lyndsay; and her sister Carolyn (Stanford) Hicklin of Richburg, SC and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, Richard Harold Tewell and her daughter-in-law Ashley (Ivester) Tewell.

Mary was born October 19, 1933 in Winston-Salem, NC to Ethel “Grammie” Wall, a strong Christian mother, role model and professional nurse, and The Rev. Alfred .L. Stanford, a Methodist minister who was called home to Heaven when his daughters Mary and Carolyn were very young. Mary was raised in Chester, SC by a large and loving family and graduated from Chester High School, Columbia College (BA) and The University of Georgia (MA).

Trained and degreed as a Speech Therapist and a teacher, she devoted herself to her family and ultimately retired as a very proud UPS'er. She was also a Mixed Nut and a Ding-A-Ling (you know who you are!).

“Tattoo Mimi” as she was nicknamed by her grandchildren, had "N.G.U." tattooed on her wrist – she said it meant "Never Give Up", in support of her close cousin’s battle with ALS. But anyone who ever met Mary would guess that it meant "Never Grow Up"-- In fact, when she turned 75 she decided she was going to start counting her age backwards. Which is why she recently celebrated her 61st birthday!

Mimi had a beautiful alto voice which she proudly used for many years as a member of the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, with whom she recorded Grammy-winning albums and toured Europe, but also in worship on Sundays, at anyone’s birthday party, Christmas caroling or whenever the mood would strike her. Anyone within earshot would turn their head to look for the angel in their midst!

Mostly she was known as joyful, caring, carefree and sometimes goofy. She never met a stranger which, in her last years affected by dementia, nearly everyone was. She welcomed anyone and everyone as a dear and long lost friend. She was a gypsy at heart -- always up for a trip, a party or a "hoot" anytime or anywhere.

She is restored to her true self, at home in Heaven with her God and Savior and her many family and friends. Now that she has been called home, Heaven is a non-stop party -- with all-you-can eat homemade biscuits!

A Memorial Service and Celebration will scheduled in the Atlanta area with further details shortly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Crossroads Community Ministries (www.crossroadsatlanta.org), an organization caring for urban Atlanta's homeless community, where Mary gave generously of her time and resources.