Mary Kelly Wise

Mary Kelly Wise, 72, of Thomasville, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 30, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Mary was born in Thomasville on May 15, 1951, to the late John and Betty Kelly of Monticello, Florida. Mary was the fifth of six children and is preceded in death by brothers Lawrence Leo Kelly, John Anthony Kelly, III, and Reverend Monsignor Michael Davin Kelly.
Mary graduated from Jefferson County High School and attended Mary Mount College and North Florida College before settling in Thomasville to raise her family. She enjoyed her involvement in many civic and community organizations, including the Junior Service League, reading to Jerger Elementary School students, The Garden Club, and the Archbold Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Staff. Mary’s passion for encouraging and supporting the elderly community is reflected by her choice of career in assisted living facilities. She was a gifted athlete and enjoyed spending her time on the tennis court and golf course. More than anything else, Mary valued spending time with her grandchildren at their sporting events and making memories with her family at the family beach home in St. Teresa, Florida.
Affectionately called “Momo” by her many friends and family, Mary was a compassionate, kind-hearted lady who highly valued life itself, no matter the obstacles.
Her concept of family was inclusive and expansive; to Mary, family was anyone who wanted to share the experience of life with her. She gave her family her very best, and she generously expanded her family to include everyone who wanted to be part of it.
Mary extended love and goodwill to everyone upon every encounter. Strangers were considered friends, and she saw everyone as someone of value and worth every effort. Her extension of goodwill in this exemplary manner was one of her greatest teachings to her family and friends. Her purpose on earth was to share her love, joy, and laughter, and these gifts will continue to enrich the lives of all who knew her.
Mary is survived by two sons, Robert Willis Wise, Jr. (Carrie), of Missoula, Montana, and John Adam Wise (Shelbey) of Thomasville; beloved grandsons John Carlton Wise and Robert Neil Wise; sisters Cassie Kelly Cunningham (Bill) of Marietta, Georgia, and Jeanie Kelly Bracey (Rick) of Thomasville. Mary is further survived by a multitude of adoring nieces, nephews, and cherished friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held at The Garden Center on Wednesday, August 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church on Thursday, August 3, at 11 a.m., followed by the private interment. After the memorial service, everyone is invited to attend the reception in the Parish Hall to celebrate the life of Mary, who was loved and cherished by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Treehouse Children’s Advocacy Center of Thomas County, P.O. Box 2594, Thomasville, Georgia 31799 (Treehousethomasville.org/donate), or the charity of your choice.