Mary Elizabeth (Martin) York

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Martin York, 86, of TyTy, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Due to the national emergency, a private graveside service will be held Monday, April 13, 2020 in Oak Ridge Cemetery with Rev. Andy Ring officiating.

Mrs. York was born January 21, 1934 in Brooks County to the late Floyd L. Martin and Gladys Strickland Martin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband to whom she was married for fifty-nine years, James Deottis York who died March 27, 2011, her granddaughter, Hannah Clark and her daughter-in-law, Kathryn York. Mrs. York was a member of Salem Baptist Church. She had lived all of her life in Tift County.  She retired from Walmart after fifteen years, while there she worked in the garden center. Prior to this she was co-owner of Central Florist and had worked for J. P. Stevens and Prestolite. Mrs. York loved her Lord, church and her family. She was a great cook and made great pound cakes, apple cakes and banana bread.  She enjoyed working in her garden. Mrs. York loved gospel music, crocheting, doing word puzzles and she and her husband enjoyed square dancing. Mrs. Mary was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. She enjoyed supporting her grandchildren in their activities. Her granddaughter Stephanie wanted this saying from her grandmother, soon you will read in the newspaper I am dead. Don’t believe it for a moment. I will be more alive than ever before. Earth recedes and Heaven opens before me.

Mrs. York is survived by two sons, Stanley D. York and his fiancé, Suzanne McKinney of Statesboro and Mark and Debbie York of Tifton; her daughter, Susan York of TyTy; five grandchildren, Brian and Mandy York, Stephanie and Bradley Hembree, Jordana York, Ginger and Patrick Marchant and Shane and Amy Folds; eight grandchildren, Jacob Marchant, Brady York, Chloe York, Olivia, Cooper and Palmer Folds, Mary Claire Hembree, Drew Hembree and Peyton Hembree; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha and Charles Frazier of Adel, Joyce and Lowell Hiers of Lenox and Brenda and Steve Bonds of Gray; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Pat Martin of Tifton and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank special caregivers, Wanda McMath and Wanda Draughon and special thanks to Dr. Brent Savelli.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salem Baptist Church Building Fund, 1128 Salem Church Road, Tifton, Ga. 31793.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.