Mary C. Fitzhugh

Mary Cumming Fitzhugh passed away peacefully in her home December 9, 2016. Mary, the daughter of Laura Bailey Cumming and David Robert Cumming, was a native and long-time resident of Griffin. She graduated from Griffin High School in 1941 and from Agnes Scott College with a BA in 1945. She was accepted into Tulane Medical School, but marriage took her to Arkansas where she opted to get a Medical Technology degree from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1947. She served as the chief medical technologist at the Griffin-Spalding County Hospital from 1967 – 1968. Mary spent a lifetime working on behalf of the disabled. She and former husband, Dr. Stuart Fitzhugh, worked to establish the original chapter of the Griffin Association for Retarded Citizens. She served on the state and national boards of the GARC. In 1963, because of her knowledge and experience, she was one of twenty-five national association members invited to participate in the first White House Conference on Mental Retardation. President Kennedy’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sought Mary’s expertise when establishing the Special Olympics. Mary served on the Developmental Disabilities Council of Georgia at the request of Governor Jimmy Carter. She served as the Executive Director of the GARC. After retiring from the GARC, she assisted local special education teachers, Bonnie Brown and Saralynn Fountain, with fund-raising and publicity as they established Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center in Griffin, later serving on the board and as president. In 1960 Mary was named Woman of the Year for community service in Griffin. During the decade that followed, she was on the steering committee of the bi-racial group which was instrumental in the successful integration of the schools and community. Mary was also the first woman to serve on the Spalding County Grand Jury. Another organization important to Mary was Habitat for Humanity. She helped with the very first house built in Griffin by Habitat and continued her support over the years by hosting volunteers in her home, often five or six at a time. In 1994 she served on the Community Service Board which was conceived to provide services for persons dealing with mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse issues. Mary was an avid tennis player and fan. She enjoyed playing the piano and working and performing with the Footlight Players for many years. Reading with elementary students also brought her great joy. She had an infectious sense of humor and was fortunate to travel the world. She even danced in the White House! Mary always claimed that she had an amazing life! Mary is survived by her five children and their families: Mary Fitzhugh Parra and Wilbur (Pete) Caldwell, Alexis and Larry Saunders, Bob and Debbie Fitzhugh, Stuart and Kelley Fitzhugh, and Beverly and Neil Dingley; grandchildren, Maria Peyramaure, Natalia Parra, Josh Saunders, McKenna Moore, David Saunders, Bobby Fitzhugh, Laura Price, Mary Ellen Dingley, Royce Dingley, Bailey Dingley, Brooke Fitzhugh, and Lisa Fitzhugh; great-grandchildren, Anna Parra-Jordan, Gavin Saunders, Jade Saunders, and Pablo Challan; sister-in-law Beverly Owens Cumming of Atlanta; and many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate the life of Mary Cumming Fitzhugh will be held at First Baptist Church of Griffin at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 26, 2016. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Stepping Stones (www.steppingstonesschool.org) or the Griffin Area Resource Center at 931 Hamilton Blvd, Griffin, GA 30224.

Mary C. Fitzhugh

August 4, 1924 - December 9, 2016