Mary Lillian Ramsey Frith, age 104, passed away on January 22, 2026, in King's Grant Healthcare. She was born on June 3, 1921, in Henry, Virginia, to the late Joseph Leonard and Bessie Eva Young Ramsey.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Coy B Frith Sr and is survived by her five children Janette Riggan, Martinsville VA, Laura Susan Hale (Randy Mercer), Burlington NC, Coy B Frith Jr (Elizabeth), Martinsville VA, Marsha Frith, Martinsville VA, Mary Kennon Kim Frith, Danville, VA and her fifth honorary daughter, Odessie Gill, Martinsville VA. She is survived by seven grandchildren – Philip Riggan (Trish), Richmond VA, James T Riggan, Winston Salem NC, Megan Washburn (Heidi), Lovingston VA, Francisco Fernandez, Philadelphia PA, Alicia Fermandez, Rock Hill SC, Anna Paige Umstadter, Charlottesville VA, and Ginger Umstadter, Blacksburg VA. Also, she is survived by eight great-grandchildren – Chayce, Avery, Mitchell, Carly, Zephyr, Olan, Kieran and Rowan.

Mary was one of ten children and is survived by three siblings, George Ramsey, Portsmouth VA, Betty Martin, Martinsville VA and John Ramsey, Henry VA. She was predeceased by her son-in-law W Wayne Riggan, and six siblings – Selma Thornton, Ernest Ramsey, Eugene Ramsey, Claude Ramsey, Joe Ramsey and Cindy Swanson. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary graduated from Henry High School, Henry VA in 1938 after a very eventful year of being named class valedictorian and Miss Henry High School. After working for a year, she graduated from Averett College (University) in 1940 with a diploma in Secretarial Studies. Mary and Coy married on August 28,1942 and they spent almost 60 years together before his death in 2002.

Mary was extremely proud to be the last surviving charter member of the Oak Level Baptist Church, Bassett VA, which was organized in 1937. While she was able, she would attend at least one service a year on the way to her annual Young-Pearson reunion held at the church.

Mary was proud to have been the fourth person hired by the Dupont Nylon plant in 1941. She worked in several different areas of the plant from the typing pool, Mailroom, Power House Office, Employment Office to assisting the plant photographer, the late Tarleton Andes and working on the Blender staff. She had taken time off to follow Coy while he was stationed in California during World War II, but was rehired upon returning to Martinsville and worked with DuPont until 1961.

After moving to Martinsville in 1961, Mary helped start the library at Fontaine Baptist Church as she had always been an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast.

Mary loved working as a US population census enumerator, and was a temporary worker for the 1960, 1970,1980 and 1990 censuses. She was innately curious and loved to ask nosy questions to complete her paperwork. She used her census skills to help solicit donations to fund the new Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County, that was built in 1970, and later used the same skills as a poll worker during numerous elections.

After Coy died and while she was still driving, Mary would go off in search of old haunts or long-lost houses or graveyards, much to the chagrin of her children, or without a concern for her personal safety. She had no qualms about driving down hidden driveways or random dirt roads or taking a nap in a stranger's driveway.

Mary was very involved and attended multiple churches during her lifetime, from the Henry Baptist Church, Henry VA, Oak Level Baptist Church, Bassett VA, Fontaine Baptist Church, Martinsville VA, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Ridgeway VA, Mill Creek Baptist, Chatham, VA, First Baptist Church, Gretna VA, and lastly First Baptist, Martinsville VA. She could be found participating in the WMU, working in the library, keeping the nursery, teaching classes, working in the kitchen, visiting shut-ins or sharing her soprano voice with the choir.

During her life, she was part of the Rebekah Lodge (Oddfellows), multiple garden clubs, home demonstration organizations and she supported Coy in the multiple functions of the Farm Bureau and traveled with him to several reunions of the Army 3459th Ordinance.

Mary loved to be outside and play in the dirt (gardening), she loved the sun, and thought that chocolate was another food group. In her last years, she was lovingly cared for by her special fifth daughter - Odessie Gill, Stanleytown Healthcare, King's Grant Healthcare and Mountain Valley Hospice.

Receiving of friends will be held one hour prior to services beginning at 12:00 Noon in Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home, Friday January 30, 2026. Funeral services will follow at 1 P.M., with Charles A. Swanson officiating.

Interment will private in Roselawn Burial Park at a later date.

Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home and Burial Park is entrusted with arrangements.