Mrs. Mary Joyce Hearn Gay died peacefully at her home on September 15, 2025 after several years of illness.

She was born on November 22, 1927 in Eatonton, Georgia to Henry Branham Hearn, Jr. and Elizabeth Knight Hearn, the third of five children.

Joyce grew up in Griffin, Georgia, moving back to Eatonton, Georgia her senior year of high school and graduated from Putnam County High School.  She attended Wesleyan College and obtained a degree in education from GSCW in Milledgeville, Georgia.  She came to Millen, Georgia to teach in 1948 and met the love of her life, Carroll Emerson Gay, Sr. in 1950 and they made a life together on the family farm in the Thrift Community.

Joyce was very active within the church and community.  She taught school for the Jenkins County Schools and also at Buckhead Academy.  She was the oldest living member of the Millen United Methodist Church and faithfully served the church until her failing health would no longer allow.  She was very active in the Sunshine Circle where she served in all capacities including President.  She was a member of the Magnolia Garden Club for many years.  She was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader for her children and many other children in the community and supported her children in all of their activities.

She was loved and adored by her 7 grandchildren; Stephanie (Mitchell) Johnson, Joy (Trey) Renfroe, Mary Joyce Bacon, Nath Bacon, Richard Bacon, Branham (Shelly) Gay, and Tiller (Amy) Gay.  She adored her 12 great-grandchildren and always looked forward to their visits and her time spent with them. "Nanny" was very, very special to all of them.

She is survived by her three children; Carroll (Carolyn) Gay of Millen, Kathy (Hunter) Bacon of Milledgeville, and John B. (Jean) Gay of Millen.  She is also survived by her faithful fur baby companion, Zoe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carroll Emerson Gay, Sr. and her four siblings; Dr. Henry B. Hearn, III, Elizabeth Hemenway, Dr. Carlton Hearn, and Frances Jane Hearn.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at the Millen Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to the services. Her son, Reverend Carroll Gay will officiate.

Burial will follow at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons, Will and Cannon Griffin.

The family would especially like to thank Brenda Bynes, Shirley Reese and Roxie Williams for being so kind and for taking such excellent care of their mother.  They would also like to thank Pruitt Health Hospice for their excellent care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Buck Creek Church, 2545 Buck Creek Road, Sylvania, GA 30467 or Millen United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 750, Millen, GA 30442.