OBIT: Mary McFarland

Mary Dean West McFarland, 82, of Gainesville, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, following an extended illness.

The daughter of the late Benjamin and Lela Bell Watson West, she was a lifelong resident of Gainesville and was born on June 6, 1925. She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church for more than 70 years, was employed by the City of Gainesville for 33 years, and was the first woman in the Hall County area to deliver a successful set of triplets.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph Larry and Paulette McFarland, Gillsville, J.C. and Sandy McFarland, Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Nita and Larry Fuller, Gainesville, Norma and Jim Gibbons, Manassas, Va.; grandchildren, Scott McFarland, Braselton, Julie McIntyre and Nick Fuller, both of Gainesville, Jullian Byrd, Jacksonville, Fla., Bryan Gibbons, Fairfax, Va.; great-granddaughters, Haley McIntyre, Gainesville, and Kaleigh McFarland, Braselton; one step-granddaughter, Dana Peek, Cedartown; one step-grandson, Corey Byrd, Athens; step-great-grandchildren, Ella Kate, Harris and Julianne, Cedartown; nieces, Linda Holcomb and Martha Simmons, both of Cleveland, and Ann McAllister, Gainesville; and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m., at Bethany Baptist Church with the Rev. Lamar Purcell officiating. Burial will be in Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, May 9, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.