Mary Ellene Ramsey Thurmond, age 95, of Demorest, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Born in Clarkesville, Georgia, on April 4, 1931, Ellene was a daughter of the late Harvey Bruce Ramsey and Addie Lee English Ramsey. She was a graduate of North Habersham High School, Class of 1949.

Ellene devoted her life to her home and family. A loving homemaker, she found joy in the simple blessings of life and was gifted with her hands. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking, and canning vegetables fresh from her garden. Blessed with a true green thumb, Ellene could make both flowers and vegetables flourish, and she took great pride in tending to the things she had planted and watching them grow.

Above all, Ellene's greatest joy was her family. Some of her most treasured years were spending time with her grandchildren, and she was blessed to later share that same love and devotion with her great-grandchildren. Her home was a place where family was always loved and cared for, and the time she invested in the generations who followed her will remain a precious part of her legacy. After 95 years of a life well lived, she leaves behind countless memories that her family will carry in their hearts for generations to come.

In addition to her parents, Ellene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Garrison Henry Thurmond; son, Eric Garrison Thurmond; brothers, Kenneth "Casey" Ramsey and Rod "Bobby" Ramsey; and sister, Reba Ramsey Burrell. With her passing, Ellene was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Debbie and David Hallford, Kevin and Deborah Thurmond, and Alan and Christi Thurmond; grandchildren, Amy and Ryan Thomas, Josh and Kristy Hallford, Steven and Faith Hallford, Kevin and Haley Queen, Mallory and Austin Henson, Matthew Thurmond, and Jacob Thurmond; 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Fairfield Baptist Church, with Rev. Keith Allison officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, with Pastor Mark Wheeler officiating at the graveside.

The family will receive friends at Fairfield Baptist Church from 12:00 noon until the service hour on Tuesday.

An online guest registry is available for the Thurmond family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is honored to serve the family of Mary Ellene Ramsey Thurmond.