Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Mary Jean Jasper will be on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Elizabeth's Chapel of Alfonso Dawson Mortuary. A Public Viewing will be on Friday, July 25th from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

…………………… A Blessed Life
Our beloved Mary was born Mary Jene Gunn on September 15, 1937, to Blanche Gunn Hollis and Willie Beatles in Newnan, Georgia. She was educated in the Atlanta Public Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1955.
Proverbs 31:10-11 says, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Being a woman of noble character, Mary was “found” and blessed by three good men.
Mary was blessed to meet Edward Byrdsong in 1953 and they married in 1955. To this union, two children were born: Ricky Allen Byrdsong and Marcia Alisa Byrdsong. Although this marriage ended in divorce after 10 years, they remained amicable until Edward’s death in 1988.

In 1975, Mary was blessed to be joined in holy matrimony to a wonderful man, Simon Strickland. They both worked at Nabisco, where Mary worked for 32 years, and absolutely adored one another. Their love flourished until Simon’s passing in 1979.
In 1980, Mary was blessed by an introduction to Robert "Bob" Jasper. They were married in 1982. He said it was love at first sight, and that her one-time cooked dish of lasagna sealed the deal. However, somehow, soon after their marriage, Bob took over the cooking. It was hard for anyone to tell whose decision that was, since Bob loved cooking and Mary loved eating! They were happily married for 37 years until Bob’s passing in 2019.

God was faithful to carry Mary through many losses and health challenges. In 2010, a drastic drop in her blood sugar put her in a vegetative state. Though the doctors said she had permanent brain damage and would not recover, God said, “Not so!” and she fully recovered! Even in her twilight days, whenever Mary was asked how she was doing, her answer was always, “Fine.” She was always pleasant and complimentary. She had a sweet spirit and was a joy to be around and know.

Mary was a devoted and active member of Second Mount Vernon Baptist Church, serving faithfully for over 30 years. She knew Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and passed away peacefully to be with Him.

Mary is preceded in death by her son (Ricky Allen Byrdsong, Sr), mother (Blanche Hollis), sister (Elizabeth Fouch) and three husbands as previously noted. She leaves to cherish fond memories her daughter, Marcia Byrdsong; daughter-in-law, Sherialyn Byrdsong; grandchildren, Sabrina, Kelley, and Ricky, Jr (Maura) Byrdsong; great grandson Ricky Allen Byrdsong III (Trey); nine grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren inherited through marriage; nephews Rodney (Raneal), Michael and Rapheal Fouch; niece Raven Fouch; cousin Nina Clark Styles; members of the Byrdsong family; Simon’s children, Rachel Cook and Larry Strickland; Bob’s son, Robert Jasper II; and a host of other loving family members and friends.