Maurine Gay

Maurine Gipson Gay, age 103, of Scottsboro, AL, died on January 9,2012. She was preceded in death by her husband John Will Gay Jr., son-in-law John A. Ponsford, grandson John A. Ponsford Jr., two brothers Curtis Gipson and Amos Gipson, and one sister Wilma Gipson Isbell. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Ponsford, of EI Paso, TX, her son John W. Gay III and wife Martha of Scottsboro; granddaughters Sharon Gay and husband Neil Schemm of Atlanta and Leigh Lovelady and husband Stuart of EI Paso; grandsons Richard Ponsford and wife Andrea of EI Paso and Alan Gay and wife Kelly of Atlanta; great- grandchildren Emily Ponsford of Birmingham and Julie Ellis and husband Jared of Birmingham, Virginia Sessions of Washington, D.C., Will Sessions of Dallas, TX, Cameron Ponsford of Austin, TX, Patricia Chennici and husband Mike of Los Angeles, Mitchell Ponsford of Phoenix, Al, Jenna Ponsford of EI Paso, Chandler Gay of Atlanta and Hannah Gay of Atlanta; one great-great-granddaughter Olivia Ellis, one niece and four nephews. Maurine was born July 28, 1908, in Fyffe, AL, the daughter of UV. and Leona Gipson. Shortly after, the family moved to Albertville. Maurine graduated from Albertville High, attended Woman's College (now University of Montevallo) in Montevallo, AL for one year, then transferred to Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, graduating in 1929 with a degree in art and music. In 1930 she married John Will Gay Jr., a native of Scottsboro, where she resided until her death. Maurine played an active role in the development of Alabama Bedspread Co., a manufacturing business John Will and his father and uncle started. For many years she did all the designing of patterns, and she accompanied John Will on many business trips. In the 1960's she retired, turning her artistic talents to the designing of beautiful eggs in the Faberge style. Maurine was an early and long-time member of the Fortnightly Book Club, which originated the Scottsboro Public Library, and was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution until shortly before her death. She was a member of the First Baptist Church for 81 years. She was an avid reader and bridge player. The funeral service will be at the First Baptist Church in Scottsboro on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 11 :00 am, with Dr. Roy Hall officiating, assisted by Rev. Kevin Wilburn. Visitation will begin at 10:00; burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro. Scottsboro Funeral Home is in charge of arrangments. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church or the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

Maurine Gay

July 28, 1908 - January 9, 2011