Annie Mary Oglesby Kersey

1924 - 2022

Annie Mary Oglesby Kersey

Antioch - Annie Mary Oglesby Kersey, age 97, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Alive Hospice. Mary was born at College Grove, TN on January 8, 1924 to the late John Childress Oglesby and Lottie Mae Wilson Oglesby. She was predeceased by her two brothers, John Sidney Oglesby and James Robert Oglesby, and their wives Marge and Dot, respectively.

Mary attended Rosemont (forerunner of Margaret Allen School) and Central High School. She was exceptionally proud of her connection to Central, serving as a class representative (1942) for many years to the Central High School Alumni Association.

Mary married George F. Kersey on January 29, 1944 in Biloxi, MS. George was in Biloxi training for the Air Corps while in the US Army. The newlyweds lived in Charleston, SC before he deployed to Italy for military service. When George was discharged in 1945, the couple moved to East Nashville. Their first son - George F. Kersey, Jr. - was born in 1946, and a second son - John Clayborne Kersey - followed in 1947. Both sons survive.

In 1948 the Kersey family moved to LaVergne, TN when George and Mary, along with another couple, purchased the LaVergne Telephone Exchange. Mary was a switchboard operator and business manager for the telephone company.

The family moved from their LaVergne home in Rutherford County to a new home just across the border in Davidson County in 1956. Mary's husband died in 2010, and she continued to live in their home until the last week of her life.

Mary identified herself as a lifelong Methodist and established connections with three congregations over her lifetime: Arlington Methodist, Antioch Methodist, and McKendree United Methodist. At Antioch and McKendree she served in a variety of roles including Sunday School teacher.

In addition to her sons, Mary is survived by three grandchildren: Lori (Tim) Thomas, Clay (Vicki) Kersey, and Kimberly Kersey; and six great-grandchildren: Carter Kersey, CJ Kersey, Sophi Falcone, Savannah Falcone, Sierra Falcone, and Breana Burton. Mary was affectionately dubbed "MawMaw" when she became a grandmother, and the name stuck. She is also survived by eight nieces and one nephew; her oldest nephew - John Sidney Oglesby, Jr. - predeceased his aunt. A former daughter-in law Carol Sloan Kersey and a former granddaughter-in-law Jennifer Kersey also survive.

Mary and her family gratefully acknowledge the doctors who have served her: Dr. Tracey Doering, Dr. Jim Daniel, Dr. Robert Stein, Dr. David DeBoer and his PA, Dr. Albert Kattine, and Dr. John Baese. The family also appreciates the care Mary received from caregivers provided through Right at Home, especially the attention she received from Mrs. Mamie Burleson. In her final days Mary and her family were supported by the staff at Alive Hospice.

In light of the pandemic, Mary's funeral service and interment will be private. In late summer or early fall a celebration of her life will be held at Antioch United Methodist Church. Since there will be no public visitation, the family respectfully requests NO FLOWERS PLEASE. Instead, those wishing to honor Mary may make donations to Antioch United Methodist Church, 41 Tusculum Road, Antioch, TN 37013.

Mary will be interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Thompson Lane, Nashville. Arrangements are by Woodbine Funeral Home, HICKORY CHAPEL, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211, 615-331-1952.