Mary Ellen Gates Behling
Mary Ellen Gates Behling, 93, of Shady Dale, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Jasper Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Behling was born February 20, 1920 in Montgomery, Ala. to the late William Samuel Gates and Edna Florence Glenn Gates. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William Bryant “Bill” Behling, four brothers, five sisters, and one step-daughter.
After attending high school in Montgomery, Ala., Mrs. Behling helped her mother run the family’s local curb market. She also worked at the drug store soda fountain where she met the love of her life, Bill Behling. It was there that she caught his eye by placing two cherries on his ice cream sundae instead of one until he noticed her. He quickly asked her out, and their story of life together began. On October 10, 1946, Bill and Mary were married in Prattville, Ala.
Their family grew, and Mr. Behling decided to leave the railroad in pursuit of a better life by moving to Morgan County, Ga. to begin farming. After several years, they moved to Shady Dale where she lived and was an active member of the community for 55 years.
Mrs. Behling’s priority was her family and home. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs. Behling was a talented seamstress who loved to sew for her family and others. She also enjoyed playing the piano and singing. In her younger years, she enjoyed tap dancing. Mrs. Behling’s faith was her daily source of strength, peace and comfort, and she read and studied her Bible daily.
Survivors include her children and spouses, Patricia Ellen and Melton Rogers of Monticello, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” and Cecil Jordan of Collierville, Tenn., Larry Bryant and Charlene Behling of Perry, Margaret Glenn and Richard Siler of Asheville, N.C. and Hugh Lawrence Behling of Shady Dale; grandchildren and spouses, Derrick Rogers, Terrell Rogers, Cecily Jordan, Molly and Brent Weaver, Alex Behling, Madison Siler, Banks and Mandie Behling, Leigh and Wayne Rye, Valerie and Sean Brown, Henry E. Bourne, Jr., and Missy B. Grooms; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Behling, Scout Behling, Justin Rye, Mary Ashleigh Rye, Bailey Grooms, Collin Ray Grooms, Zachary Brown, and Zoe Brown; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 22, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church in Shady Dale. Interment will be held in the Brownwood Cemetery, 1521 Thankful Road, Madison. Rev. Ed Westbrook will officiate.
Pallbearers are Derrick Rogers, Terrell Rogers, Alex Behling, Banks Behling, Larry Champion, and Jason Greenway. Honorary pallbearers will be Sawyer Behling, Justin Rye, Brent Weaver, Leroy Wood, Paul Bridges, and Clifford Chadwick.
The family will receive friends Thursday, March 21, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jordan Funeral Home.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to
Providence Baptist Church, P.O. Box 15, Shady Dale, GA 31085 or The Retreat Nursing Home, 898 College Street, Monticello, GA 31064.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhome monticello.com.