Mrs. Mary Leonora Ferguson Mintz, age 100 of Rockmart passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2009.

Mrs. Mintz was born on October 1, 1909 in Polk County, daughter of the late Thomas Roland Ferguson and the late Lizzeta Nettles Ferguson. She was the eldest member of the First Baptist Church of Rockmart having been a member for over 75 years and taught Sunday School for more than 50 years. Mrs. Mintz retired from the Polk School District with almost 30 years of teaching. She was a member of the Rockmart Woman's Club, charter member of the Polk County Historical Society, served 18 years as chaplain of the William Witcher Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a member of the Polk County Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Mintz was a local historian and lecturer. She was an author of poetry, devotionals, historical and educational articles for numerous publications.

Honors included being named to "Who's Who in Georgia" in 1973, became a merit mother of the Georgia Mother's Association in 1973, was listed in "Outstanding Americans" in 1975 and was Rockmart's "Woman of the Year" in 1983.

Mrs. Mintz was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Robert Henry Mintz, Jr. on October 30, 1987; a son, Mr. Harold Duane Mintz; a sister, Mrs. Eula Mae Ferguson White; and three brothers, Mr. Fred B. Ferguson, Mr. Charles B. Ferguson and Mr. Nettles Ferguson.

Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Lee Hansard of Marietta; two sons, Donald "Duck" Ferguson Mintz of Rockmart and Stewart Nettles Mintz of Rome. Eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mintz will be held on Thursday, December 31st at 1:00 p.m in the First Baptist Church of Rockmart with the Rev. Greg Thompson officiating. Mrs. Cathy Mintz and Mr. T. A. Willingham will deliver the eulogies. Interment services will follow in the family lot of Rose Hill Cemetery.

The following gentlemen have been asked to serve as pallbearers: Glenn Campbell, Ralph King, Jimmy Lester, Billy Weaver, Quinn Dyas, Matt Dyas, Charles McCown, Jr., Bradley Peacock and Dan Thomas.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Miss Mary Catherine Dyas and Miss Danielle Thomas.