Mary Alice Barnhill Folds, age 94, passed away peacefully into the presence of her Savior on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at home in Griffin, Georgia.

We remember with fondness and love, Mary Alice Folds, whose warmth and kindness brightened the lives of everyone she met. Mary Alice’s journey was marked by her faith in God and her deep love for her family, serving as a pillar of strength, support, and joy.

Mary Alice was born May 12, 1930, the tenth of 15 children, in Converse, to Gordon Francis and Verdie Lee Price Barnhill. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, J Paul Folds Sr., and was the last surviving sibling in her family.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Donna and Doug Woodford of Florence AL, Debra and Steve Wade of Kathleen, GA, J Paul Jr. and Lea Folds of Griffin, GA, and Don and Jan Folds of Royse City, TX; grandchildren, Elizabeth Woodford Hughey and husband, Mark, Zach Woodford and wife, Melissa, Brad Woodford and wife, Ariel, John Thad Wade and wife, Sara Katherine, Craig Wade and wife, Kelsey, Mary Kathryn Wade, Nicholas Folds and wife, Mimi, Jonathan Folds and wife, Kelly, Lane Folds and wife, Ashley, David Folds and wife, Kathryn, and Tanya Lackey and husband, James; greatgrandchildren, Abby, Annie, Anna, Ellison, Kai, Freya, Harry, Jack, Mary Madison, Libby, Joe, Maggie, Matthew, Emily, Kailynn, Dache, Seth, Falyn, and Aubrey; her sister-in-law, Gloria Folds Swindle and husband, Frank; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.

Mary Alice graduated from Forest High School Forest, in 1948. She met the love of her life, J. Paul Folds, and they were married two months later on December 27, 1952. She spent most of her life in Delhi, where she was a homemaker.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving wife and mother, Mary Alice also loved working in her garden.

Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God. She was a longtime active member of First Baptist Church in Delhi. She taught SunBeams and was a Sunday School teacher in the eight year old department for many years and a member of the WMU. She was honored as Mother of the Year at First Baptist Church in 1977. She was affectionately known as Mama Folds by many children whom she provided childcare for during a fifteen year period.

In 2013 she moved to Florence, Alabama, to live with her daughter Donna, where she was also a member of First Baptist Church, Florence.

The family truly appreciates the care given to her this past year by her son and daughter-in-love, J and Lea; Brightmoor Hospice (Kathy Goodrum, Susan Frye, Rebecca Deloach, and Savannah Buchanan) and by her caregivers Mildred Jones, Sue McDonald, and Lisa Canterbury.

A celebration of life for Mary Alice Folds was held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Delhi. Rev. Edwin Fuller officiated. Burial followed at Epps Cemetery, Epps, Louisiana, where she was laid to rest beside her loving husband.

The family requests any memorial tributes be directed to Samaritan’s Purse, Turning Point Ministry or the Children’s Ministry of FBC, Delhi.