Mary (Murphy) Kent

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.  She was resting peacefully at home surrounded by family, which is where she prayed to be.  She 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.  Her major passion was fashion and making things beautiful.  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, she filled her days with being a wife, mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed gardening and visiting her friends who were ill or shut in.  On her 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 always expected hair done, makeup on (Especially lipstick) and finished with jewelry just like she was.

Mae Mae was Baptist by faith and a longtime member of First Baptist Church.  She was also a member of Seppa Youngblood Circle and a loyal member of the Bereavement Committee for many years.  Mae Mae’s “southern lady demeanor” will Always be remembered by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Cecil Murphy and Lydia Kight Murphy; daughter, Judy Braddy Tapley; sisters, Evelyn Murphy Hayes, Lucretia Murply Greenway; brother, Jimmy C. Murphy.

Mary is survived by 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 Atlanta; 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.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 8, 2025, in the Chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverend Phil Wilson officiating.

Interment will be in Swainsboro City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Chapman Funeral Home.

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

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

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Mary Murphy Kent “Mae Mae”, 92, of Swainsboro.