Mary Lee Embrey

Mary Lee Golladay Embrey, age 100, a much beloved wife, mother, “Granny”, great granny, and friend to all quietly left her earthly home for heaven on July 9th, 2025.

Mary Lee grew up in the Shenandoah Valley in Quicksburg, VA and graduated from New Market High School. Upon graduation, she learned Morse Code at the Quicksburg train depot and then went to work for Southern Railway as a telegraph operator in 1944. Her first full time assignment was at Southern’s train depot in Rockfish, VA. It was there, on her first day of work, that she met her future husband, “J.N.”. Following a whirlwind courtship, they were married and shared more than 50 happy years together. She retired after 35 years of “Serving the South” with Southern Railway and worked an additional 10 years with the Department of Social Services in Nelson County.

Mary Lee had a servant’s heart and soon became involved in church and throughout the community. She was always the first to be called when there was a community or church requirement; never pausing to care for anyone in need. She played an integral role in establishing the Nelson County Rescue Squad and helped to ensure the construction of Fire Station #2. She volunteered as an EMT and participated in countless emergency ambulance response calls. Many will remember her tireless work as a Bingo manager on Friday nights to help raise critical funding for rescue squad operating costs.

She served as President of Nelson County Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with the local hospice care. Mary Lee was a proud member of the Nelson County Garden club; she loved to work in her yard and gardens while caring for her flowers and century-old boxwoods. She loved to host family and friends, along with her pets, at Peace Hill Farm where she lived for more than 75 years.

Mrs. Embrey was preceded in death by her parents David and Maude Golladay; husband Joseph N. Embrey, Jr. “J.N”, sons Army SGT David N. Embrey and Edward L. Embrey, eldest grandson John Michael Gifford, great-grandson Caleb Embrey Ramsey, her siblings Fern (Bill) Zirkle, Garland (Luba) Golladay, Arnold Golladay, and Wayne L. Golladay.

Mary Lee is survived by her daughter Peggy Gifford and her husband John; daughter-in-law Marilyn Embrey; sister-in-law Anna Lou Golladay; granddaughter-in-law Heather Gifford and children: Rylan, Caiden, and Aliana; grandson Mark Embrey and granddaughter-in-law Jenny and children: Zach and David; grandson Matthew (Susan) Gifford and children: Adair and Lily; Tracey (Josh) Ramsey and children: Elin and Jordan; Melanie (Paul) Wood and children: River and Wren, Nathan (Erin) Gifford and son Rhodes, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves behind her beloved church family of over 60 years.

A celebration of life will be held at Rock Springs United Methodist Church on Friday, August 1st at 2:00 pm; burial will follow in the church cemetery. Please join us for a reception and time of visitation following the burial next door at Fire Station #2.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to:Rock Springs UMC, 1655 Rock Spring Road, Faber, VA. 22938

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston (434-263-4097).