Mary Jane Gregory

Mary Jane Angel Gregory, 90, of Dalton, GA passed away on December 21st, 2020. Mary Jane was born June 26th, 1930 in Albany, GA to Lewis and Thelma Angel. The middle of the three Angel sisters, Mary Jane grew up in Haines City, FL. She had some grand adventures in her youth, from performing with the famed Cypress Gardens water ski team to soloing a plane at age 16.

While working as a buyer for Davison’s in Atlanta, Mary Jane met the kind dental student who would become her husband. She married Dr. Leonard Julian Gregory in 1953. The two spent their lives together and raised two children, Bill and Jane, in their Dalton, GA home. Mary Jane had a lifelong passion for raising and showing American Saddlebred Horses. She always had a photo or video to share from a recent horse show.

People who knew Mary Jane best often described her as “a character.” And that she certainly was. She held strong opinions (and shared them readily), used colorful language, never apologized. But she was also a woman of great humor and wit, a teller of larger-than-life tales that all turned out to be true, a force of nature.

Mary Jane adored telling the people whom she had just met, “I’m an Angel, you know.” She said it with a wink in her voice, but she did not bother explaining that Angel was her maiden name. While she was far from angelic in temperament, she knew that she was an Angel by birthright.

While she has departed this life, Mary Jane will live on in the memories of her friends and loved ones. An extraordinary character in a life well-lived. A singular angel with bright red nails.

Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Julian Gregory; sister, Ann Collins; and son, William Julian Gregory. She is survived by her daughter, Jane Gregory Yirak (Tom); sister, Patricia Tunno; grandchildren Virginia Gregory Watts (Rupert), Lizzy Gregory Stuckey (Drew), and Gregory William Yirak; and two great-grandchildren, Theodore and Julian Watts.

Her family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Carson, the staff of Tranquility of Dalton, and Brenda Patterson Sitting Referral Service for providing excellent care, comfort, and joy to Mary Jane.

A memorial service will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia, 1210 Veterans Drive, Dalton, GA 30721.