Mary Murphy Kent, 92

Mrs. Mary Murphy Kent “Mae Mae”, 92, of Swainsboro, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, following a brief illness. Mae Mae was called to her final home in glory, resting peace-fully at home surrounded by family, which is where she prayed to be. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 8, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverend Phil Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Swainsboro City Cemetery. Family will receive friends Saturday, February 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Bill Boulineau, Phillip Boulineau, Andrew Kent, Patrick Ream, Rob Kent and Al Knight.

Mary was born April 16, 1932, in Swainsboro, to the late James Cecil Murphy and Lydia Kight Murphy. A graduate of Swainsboro High School, she then attended Augusta Business School. Mary’s major passion was fashion and making things beautiful. She was the owner and operator of Mary’s Ladies Shop in Swainsboro for 25 years. A career that she thrived on made her happy and full of laughter and friends. After retirement, Mary filled her days with being a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed gardening and visiting her friends who were ill or shut in. On Mary’s visits, she almost always baked cookies or brownies to take them. A great cook…her family has several favorites but mostly the brownies she made for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always be a wonderful memory. Mae Mae was the matriarch of the family and tried always to keep us in line. For the women, she al-ways expected hair done, makeup on (especially lipstick) and finished with jewelry just like she was. Mary was Baptist by faith and a longtime member of First Baptist Church. Mae Mae was also a member of Sypen Youngblood Circle and a loyal member of the Bereavement Committee for many years. Her “southern lady demeanor” will always be remembered by many. Mrs. Kent is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Judy Braddy Tapley; sisters, Evelyn Murphy Hayes and Lucretia Murphy Greenway; and brother, Jimmy C. Murphy.

Mrs. Kent is survived by her husband, Dana C. Kent, Sr. of Swainsboro; son, Dana C. Kent, Jr. (Melonie) of Augusta; grandson, Andrew Kent and granddaughter, Hannah Kent; daughter, Jan Braddy Slater (James) of Swainsboro; grandson, Jon Tapley (Kristian) of At-lanta; granddaughter, Jami Ledbetter Slater (Douglas) of Summertown; two great-granddaughters, Mary and Murphy Tapley; three great-grandsons, Patrick Ream, Liam Ream and Lucas Ream; one sister, Jonnie Murphy Boulineau; several special nieces and nephews; special friends and caregivers, Roger Bell Eason and Elaine Cummings; and many friends.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the nursing staff at Pruitt Hospice.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of arrangements.