Mary Dewar

Mary P. Dewar VALDOSTA, Ga. - Mary Lois Afford Dewar, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, teacher, gardener, business woman, church woman, musician and friend to many, died Wednesday, April 2, 2008, in her home. She was born Jan. 17, 1918, the youngest daughter of the late Fannie Smith and J. Levin Pafford and sister of the late Leo Pafford and Doris Pafford Shaw, all of Lanier County. She graduated valedictorian from Lanier County High School and attended Valdosta State Women's College and Mercer University. She taught English and business in the Lanier County Schools, both in Lakeland and Ray City, Ga. On July 15, 1941, she married the late Robert Young Dewar of Valdosta. They were married for more than 53 years. Her active life was marked by her love for her family, devotion to her church - First United Methodist of Valdosta - her keen mind, love of music and gardening, and service to her community in various capacities. Mrs. Dewar served her church in every possible capacity. Some of her church service included: teaching Sunday school all of her adult life, working as a counselor for youth groups for many years, serving as an officer and a member of the Administrative Board and the Council on Ministries. Most recently, she served as chairperson for Older Adult Ministries. Her love for music and singing gave her great joy throughout her life; for 63 years she sang in the Chancel Choir, and in recent years sang in the Fifty-Five Alive Choir. She was also a leader and an officer for United Methodist Women. Mrs. Dewar's love for learning and education was central to her life. She volunteered in parent/teacher organizations and served in many varying supportive roles for the Valdosta City Schools. She was a founding advisor to the Valdosta/Lowndes County Technical College and served on its Advisory Board. Her business career included working at Moody Air Force Base during World War II, assisting her husband in his law practice and owning Dewars Inc. Antiques. Surviving her are her daughter and son-in-law, Fann Dewar Greer and William T. Greer Jr. of Norfolk; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Young Dewar Jr. and Sarah Scholtz Dewar of Valdosta; five grandchildren: grandsons, William T. Greer III (Carrie Meade) of Salem, Va., Robert Dewar Greer of Asheville, N.C., and David Benjamin Greer (Amanda Womble) of Richmond, Va.; and granddaughters, Melonye Dewar Evans (John) of Charleston, S.C., and Sarah Caroline Dewar of Valdosta; great-grandchildren, Meade Alison Greer and William Thomas Greer IV of Salem, Va.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Herndon Dewar (Mrs. James L. Sr.) of Valdosta; and many loving nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held in the First United Methodist Church of Valdosta at 11 a.m. today. Officiating and participating will be the Rev. Tommy Mason, the Rev. John McGowan, Dr. William T. Greer Jr. and Emily Shaw Anderson. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family received friends Friday, April 4, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Music Fund of First United Methodist Church of Valdosta. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanefuneralservices.com.Carson McLane Funeral Home is handling arrangements.