Obituary: Miss Mollie Ashmore passed from this life on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. Miss Mollie was 96 years of age. She was born in Liberty County, the sixth of seven daughters born to Lewis and Bessie Peel Ashmore. She was the valedictorian of the 1932 graduating class at the Bradwell Institute. She was appointed as the first female ordinary judge of Liberty County in 1937. She was re-elected several times before beginning a career with The Hinesville Bank in 1952. She retired from the bank in 1978 to care for her ailing sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Bessie Ashmore, and her six sisters; Eva A Crowley, Florence A. Cartee, Bessie A. Strickland, Ruby A. Jones, Mildred A. Bovey and Effie Ashmore. She is survived by her nieces, Leonora S. Mizelle, Mary S. Payne, Mary C. Shuman, Nancy S. Shapland, Ilene S. Bond and Barbara B. Peterson; one special great-niece, Barbara S. Smith; nephews, Lewis Strickland, Jessie Crowley, Clinton Crowley, Clarence Crowley, Thad Strickland, Paul L. Crowley, David Bovey, and Charles Bovey; several other great-nieces and nephews; several great-great-nieces and nephews; and cousins. She has been a long standing member of First United Methodist Church for the past 88 years. Miss Mollie has been a staunch supporter of Liberty Regional Medical Center and honored her father with being an integral part of the currently located Lewis Ashmore Medical Park. She was an avid gardener, growing her own vegetables and camellias. Pallbearer will be great-nephews; John Crowley, Paul A. Crowley, Greg McCallar, Arcie Mizelle Jr., Darrell G. Payne Jr. and Michael Strickland. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Ollie Darsey Sunday School Class, members of the A.G. Overman Men's Sunday School Class, Women with Vision and Faith Circle, Dr. Calin Badea, MD, and Dr. Bryan Ristow, MD. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel in Hinesville. Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fleming. Family will accept flowers or donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the American Heart Association. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com
(Published in Coastal Courier from Jan. 23 to Jan. 30, 2012)