Mary Ellen Hotchkiss Dampier, known to most as "Mrs. Mary," "Granny," or "GeeGee," loved children more than anything else. She spent her life raising, nurturing, and caring for any child that needed her. The children in her life and her love for them remain as her legacy.

Mary Ellen Dampier, age 81, of Callahan, Florida, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024. She was born in Valdosta, Georgia to Sam Hotchkiss and Fern Fry. She was preceded in death by both parents, and her brother, Caron Hotchkiss.

Mary Ellen is survived by the love of her life, her husband, Lathad Dampier. They met when Mary Ellen was 16 years old, and lived a full, and happy life of raising children, riding motorcycles, camping, travel, beaches, snow, and church activities. Mary Ellen was a devout Baptist since an early age and resides in Heaven today.

Mary Ellen is also survived by her three Dampier sons, Michael Lathad, Dwight Timothy, and Gordon Scott. Her sons never lacked for anything, and she lived to take them on exciting vacations every year. Mama kept her sons connected to their extended family, and the time spent at Granny Fern's, Uddie's, Hotchkiss Farms, and Memaw & Papa's were such treasured events in their lives. One memory that stands out is the first time she was able to take them to see real snow, one of her most loved spectacles in nature. Mary Ellen was a constant fixture at any school or sporting event and was fiercely protective of her boys.

Though Mary Ellen loved being a mother, later in life her favorite role was that as a grandparent. She treasured her time with her grandchildren and loved being their Granny or GeeGee. Her love for Timothy, Joshua, Matthew, Kayla, Brandy, and Ariel knew no bounds. Numerous great children followed, Trevor, Ryder, Tucker, Blakely, Jaxon, Emery, Camden, Jase, Makayla, Harley, and Ivy.

GeeGee always had enough love and time for every one of them. So many children from so many different families gained a loving granny for themselves when they met Mary Ellen.

Mama had a soft spot for her furry friends, treating each and every one like the valuable family member they were. Her sons grew up around the family dogs and they were a large part of their childhood. Some notable ones were Lightning, Dutchess, Scooby, Scrappy, and Bandit.

Mary Ellen and her friends were always visible at church, sporting, and school events. There are too many to name and all meant so much to her.

Mary Ellen was a homemaker, always there for her sons and making sure her devoted husband, Thad, had what he needed to work and support their family. School and sporting events occupied so much of her time. Eventually, she was passionate about her job at a daycare center. Mama was extremely smart and breezed through all her certifications, although most of her paychecks were spent by her on the kids she had at the daycare. She truly loved children the most.

While raising her boys, Mary Ellen was an active member of Biltmore Baptist Church. Later in life, there were other churches she attended, but she was always a devoted Christian, available to pray for everyone who needed it or asked for it. When her sons traveled, or had something important coming up, they knew Mama had them in her prayers.

Mary Ellen will always be remembered for her devotion to children and her husband, and the way that she always made time for them. They couldn't have asked for a better wife to Lathad and mother to her sons.  She will be missed every day.

The tribute above was prepared by Mary Ellen's loving family.

A Celebration of Mary Ellen's Life will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Nassau Funeral Home with Pastor Lee Whitaker and Pastor David Harris officiating.  Interment will follow at Good Hope Cemetery (7412 Good Hope Naylor, Georgia 31641).  Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The arrangements are under the care and direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, Florida 32011. 904-879-1770. Visit www.nassaufh.com to sign the family's guest book.