Mary Mclellan Manly Ryman

With peaceful surrender, Mary McLellan Manly Ryman passed from this earthly realm to her heavenly home on March 17, 2022. She is now reunited with her husband of nearly 70 years, Milton Ryman, Jr., her parents, William Judson Manly and Mary McLellan Manly, and her brother, James Manly. She is survived by her three daughters, Marti Ryman Pierce (Gerald), of Ft. Myers, FL, Maribeth Ryman Brown (Bo) of Atlanta, GA, Rebecca Ryman Langford (John) of Chattanooga, TN and her son in love, Dr. Phil Koch of Gainesville, Ga. She leaves behind her adoring grandchildren, Kristin Gammons, Matt Koch, Michael Koch, Jenny Koch, Erich Koch, Barden Brown, Taylor Brown, Chandler Brown, John Milton Langford and Amanda Sagaert, as well as 18 great grandchildren. She also predeceases her brothers, Judson Manly and Bob Manly, (Gwen) of Dalton, sister in law, Ina Fay Manly, of Dalton, and her beloved cousin, Bitsy McFarland, also of Dalton.

Mary, also known to her many friends and family as “Little Mary,” or “Mimi,” will be remembered for her countless hours of volunteer service to the community of Dalton and Whitfield County and to her church, First United Methodist Church.

Born and raised in Dalton, Mary was the eldest child and the only daughter of four children. She attended Dalton Public Schools and graduated from DHS as Valedictorian of her class. She attended Agnes Scott College, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. While in college, she never lost contact with her childhood friend and sweetheart, Milton Ryman, and soon after college, the two of them returned to Dalton and were married in 1949.

With a deep desire to give back to the town she loved, Mary was active in many civic organizations. She is most noted for being the first woman to serve on the Hamilton Memorial Hospital Board, where she served for 9 years, (1980-89). She also worked as a hospital volunteer (Grey Lady) for more than 30 years, and received the distinction of being named a Westcott Fellow during those years. In addition, Mary was a member of the Georgia Department of Human Resources for five years. Her many other civic and volunteer positions in the community included being a board member of the Whitfield County Historical Society in which she became an avid worker in restoring the Huff House. She was a member of United Way, the Dalton Country Club, the past president of the Agnes Scott Alumnae in Georgia, the historian for the Dalton Cotillion Club, and a member of the Home and Garden Club for 50 years. In her early years, as a part of the Dalton Junior Women’s League, she helped to organize Teen Town, the Strawberry Follies, and the Parents’ League, a support group for parents of teenagers. She was active as a Girl Scout leader and helped in founding and building Camp Maynard, a former Girl Scout day camp and retreat for those in Whitfield county. She was also a Friendship House volunteer who led many vacation Bible School and Sunday School classes for underprivileged children.

In addition to her civic work, Mary enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and bridge, and she LOVED tap dancing! She was a member of the award-winning Marcel Dancers until she was almost 90 years old. The Marcel Dancers entertained regularly at the Senior Center in Dalton and at other community venues in Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Rossville and Dalton.

At First United Methodist Church, she was an active participant in Dockup and Meals on Wheels until three years ago. She was a 70 year member of the United Methodist Women’s Circle, past president of UMW, a long time teacher of children’s Sunday School, a choir member, an office volunteer and an Altar Guild member. She dearly loved her church and its members. So many times, she would be the first one in the church to drop by a new minister’s house to welcome him and his family with a homemade cake or a plate of cookies. She loved taking meals to sick friends and mothers of new babies, and her gifts of love (food) were well known by her Sunday School class, as well as to friends, neighbors and loved ones.

Indeed, Mary had a servant’s heart for her church and community, and loved bringing others happiness with her time and “ love gifts.” However, her greatest joy stemmed from spending time with her family. She was devoted to building precious memories of togetherness within the family by preparing lots of food, creating opportunities for fun and laughter, and by providing special, teachable moments. She gave to her family a spirit of optimism for life and instilled in them a desire to strive for excellence and to “do the right thing” at all times. Her family and friends will always remember her ready smile, her sweet spirit, her kind giving heart and the laughter she brought into everyone’s lives. Rest In Peace, “Little Mary,” you have traveled a long journey of love and service, and you are reunited with your God and your soul mate once more.

The memorial service will be on April 3rd at 4:00 at Dalton First United Methodist Church. There will be a visitation with the family from 2:00-4:00 in the Atrium of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support the compassionate care and ministry at The Lighthouse PCH C/O Lucretia Gonthier, 206 Blue Mountain Pkwy, Rocky Face, GA 30740. Checks should be made out to “The Lighthouse PCH. (Please don’t confuse this with The Lighthouse Personal Care Homes.)