Rev. Mary Isom Groomes

Mary was saved at an early age during a revival service, where she joined Live Oak African Methodist Episcopal Church under the pastorate of her father Reverend Isom. She was called into the Ministry early in life and pastored several churches in Southwest Georgia: Mt. Olive AME (Attapulgus), Oak Grove AME (Camilla), Wesley Shorter AME (Ochlocknee), Mt. Pisgah AME (Jakin), and St. James M. B. Church (Jakin) until her health began to decline.

Reverend Groomes was very active in the church. She taught Sunday School and Bible Study. She was also the first Women’s Ministry President over the Sixth Episcopal District, serving for eight years.

On March 3, 1962, Mary married William “Buddy” Groomes, and to this union, William Jr. and Rhonda were born but died at birth. One year later, Thomas Bernard was born, and eight years later, Wilma Letitia Groomes was born. She also raised Jerraud Alexander Groomes.

Mary was a caring and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece and friend. She enjoyed reading and studying the Bible, arts and crafts, and doing yard work.

On May 19, 2025, GOD dispatched His Angel and called Reverend Groomes Home to Rest. Additionally, she was preceded in death by three siblings: Jacki, Carolyn, and Jerry.

Reverend Mary Groomes leaves many to cherish her memories—a son, Thomas B. Groomes (Maytress); a daughter, Wilma G. Thompson (Donnie); a child whom she raised as her son, Jerraud Alexander Groomes; an adopted daughter, Marier Butler; five grandchildren: Todderick, William “Quinton”, Aniyah, Shonn, and LaShonna; two great grandchildren, Kaedyn and Jaylen; sisters: Lillian Roberts, Beverly Coffey, and Dorothy Brown (Amos); a brother, Richard Isom (Gwellda); five sisters-in-law: Augustine Nobles (Willie), Jeweltine Groomes, Calvine Rollins (Winston), Blonnie Freeman, and Betty Carr; a brother-in-law, Reverend Arthur Groomes (Cindy); an aunt, Helen Jefferson (Jeremiah); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, church members and sorrowing friends.