Mary Inez Boswell Beall

Mary Inez Boswell Beall passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025, at her home in Grayson, Georgia.

Born February 10, 1939, in Starkville, Mississippi, she was the daughter of Mary Ellis Boswell and Rupert Dean Boswell Sr. Mary was affectionately known as "Doll" to her siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and classmates. She grew up on a cotton farm in Mt. Pleasant, Mississippi, as the fifth of nine children.

A Mississippi State University graduate with a degree in education, most of her teaching career was spent in the Memphis City School System. Mary was driven by a passion for making learning fun, and her heart broke for students without enough. As many teachers do, she bought school supplies, eye glasses, clothes, and shoes out of her own pocket to help countless children who passed through her classroom.

She and Larry, her adoring husband of 58 years, met on a blind date and the rest, as they say, is history. They welcomed two daughters in rapid succession following their wedding in 1967. After starting their family and establishing a life in Memphis, Tennessee, Mary and Larry moved to Gwinnett County Georgia in 1980 where they remained for 45 years.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Angela (Vance) and Cynthia (Clayton), one sister, Arrie Ann Busby of Rienzi, Mississippi, and one brother, Henry Boswell of Mt. Pleasant, Mississippi. Her memory lives on through those who loved her as Nana: five precious grandchildren - Andrew, Matthew, Anna, Mallory, and Angus - and five great-grandchildren. Dozens of surviving nieces and nephews remember their Aunt Doll/Aunt Mary's dazzling smile and "where there's a will there's a way" attitude.

Mary loved welcoming friends and family into her home, serving sweet tea and cookies with southern hospitality and a smattering of sarcasm. She loved purple irises and gardenias, little children, a beautifully set table, wrapping presents, Scrabble, jigsaw puzzles, card games, and peaceful mornings with a coffee and devotional. She was a long time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Snellville, Georgia.

Larry passed two short weeks ago with her at his side. He was never one to do well without his Mary within reach, so we understand why she had to go so soon.

We will celebrate Mary and Larry's lives with a combined service at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Snellville, Georgia, on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 3:30pm. Guests are invited to honor the Bealls and their colorful personalities by wearing Mary's favorite colors-orange or purple-or red for Larry's Atlanta Braves.