Mary Myers Obenauf
Mary Myers Obenauf died peacefully on June 28 after
a long brave battle with cancer. She was preceded in
death by her father J. Frank Myers and her mother
Joyce Nelson Myers Curry.
She was born in Americus, Ga where she graduated
from Americus High School in 1972. She continued her
education at the University of Georgia in BS Home
Economics. She was the County Extension Agent in
Marion County, GA. Next she taught school for 1
year in Newnan, Ga. After, she relocated to Fresno,
CA. There she taught “At Risk Teens” for many
years. She proposed forming a special program to
the school system called Opportunity at Fresno
High. She developed and taught this class. These
students had behavioral problems, habitual truancy,
or had some involvement with the juvenile justice
system. After being kicked out of regular school,
they were sent to Opportunity as a last chance.
Finally she continued her teaching at Fallbrook High
School outside of San Diego.
Mary had a passion for art and she was amazing. Mary
was always making gifts for people. Her presents
were from her heart.
She decided November 1979 to arrange for her body to
be donated to the Medical College of Georgia for
research. Her wish was fulfilled on the day she
passed.
Mary is survived by her sister Jean Myers Ivis,
brother Frank Myers III, 2 nieces Natalie Ivis &
Emiline Myers, & a sister-in-law Cheryl Myers. Mary
had many wonderful friends who helped her through
her journey with many visits, gifts and financial
support. Especially Ricky Arnold, Barry Blount, and
her sweet friend Betty Austin who was by her side
the whole time.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held on July 15th
at 4:00pm at the Windsor Hotel. Please join us to
help rejoice her life.
Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to Mary G
Dupree Education Endowed Scholarship which is
granted to Georgia Southwestern State University
students pursuing a teacher education degree. This
scholarship was created by her father J. Frank
Myers and named after Mary’s namesake and
grandmother Mary Givens Myers Dupree many years
ago. Checks should be made out to “GSW Foundation”,
P.O. Box 926, Americus, Ga. 31709
Submitted by
Jean Myers Ivis 7/7/2023
