Mary Ruth Cantrell Ainslie, 88, went home to be with her Lord on August 12, 2016 in Madison.

Mrs. Ainslie is preceded in death by her husband Andrew Alexander Ainslie, Sr., to whom she was devoted in marriage for 62 years.

She is survived by her children, Mary Josephine Ainslie Prescott (Ron) of Jefferson, Andrew Alexander Ainslie, Jr. (Carolyn) of Madison, Sarah Harris Ainslie Porter (Dan) of Buckhead, and Muriel Elizabeth Ainslie Watkins of Watkinsville, nine grandchildren – Hank (Jane) Bailey, Carol (Derek) Singletary, Andrew Ainslie, III (Leah), Merritt Ainslie (Megan), Sadie Carver (Richard), Jim Porter (Kathy), Scott (Holly) Porter, Amy Cartlidge, and Wesley Watkins – and 23 great-grandchildren.

Mary Ainslie was born on November 9, 1927 in Gadsden, Ala. to Merriman Marvin Cantrell and Thelma Harris Cantrell. She graduated from Dalton High School in 1944. She furthered her education at West Georgia Junior College. During one summer at West Georgia, she worked as a secretary at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, then known as the Clinton Engineering Works, which was developed for the purpose of producing the atomic bomb used during World War II.

After graduating from West Georgia Junior College in 1946, she came to Madison to teach at Morgan County Schools where she has such fond memories of living in the Teacherage, making life-long friends while living there. She later graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education in 1957. She taught first and second grades for 29 years.

Mrs. Ainslie was an accomplished gardener and often could be found either working in her vegetable garden or her beautiful flower beds. She loved her family, her home, music, and traveling. She and her husband visited all 50 states and toured Europe. She and her husband were dedicated to their grandchildren, where four generations of family gathered at their home to celebrate birthdays and holidays. These special times were enjoyed because of her enthusiasm for family get-togethers and both were excellent cooks.

She was an active and faithful member of the Madison First United Methodist Church where she was devoted to the Loyal Daughters Sunday School Class, and taught Sunday School for many years and was the choir director of the youth during the 1960s.

The family received friends on Saturday, August 13, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at A.E. Carter Funeral Home, 1670 Atlanta Hwy , Madison, GA. A grave side service was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, August 14, at 3 p.m. at the Madison Historic Cemetery located at the end of West Central Avenue. Rev. Grady Mosely officiated the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mary Ainslie’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Morgan County Primary School Media Fund, 993 East Ave, Madison, GA 30650. This Fund is for purchasing books for the school library as reading was one of the blessings of her life, and her passion was teaching children to read.

The family would like to thank the staff at Madison House Senior Living – Shirley Evans, Wendy Patterson, Jacqueline Harrell, Arielle Wingfield, Denise Keeley, and Caroline Harris – for their care and dedication.