Mary Niles Lawhon Gunn Obituary

Mary Niles Lawhon Gunn, 83, of Thomasville, AL passed away at her home on August 1,
2024 in the presence of her children and their spouses. Mary Niles was born in Jackson,
AL on January 6, 1941 to Niles B. Lawhon and Elizabeth Holder Lawhon. She graduated
from Thomasville High School in 1958 and went to Providence School of Nursing in
Mobile, AL where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. Following graduation from
Providence, she spent a year in New Orleans doing postgraduate study in pediatrics. Mary
Niles was offered a job at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. where she became a
night supervisor. After a year in Washington, Mary Niles moved back to Alabama, she
went to work at Providence Hospital Eventually making her last move, she and her
husband made Thomasville home. She went to work at Thomasville Hospital where she
spent several years working in all aspects of nursing. An opportunity came her way to
work for the State of Alabama at the local mental health facility. She continued working
there until her retirement in the early 2000's. For 40 years, she served so many in her
career as an RN. In 2013, Mary Niles was appointed to the Thomasville Healthcare
Authority in which she served for 11 years. She fiercely believed in bringing TRMC to
fruition. Mary Niles was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Demopolis, AL. She
was preceded in death by her parents, Niles B. Lawhon and Elizabeth Lawhon; the love of
her life, husband, James G. "Jimmy" Gunn. She is survived by her three children: Jay
Gunn (Vicky) of Summerdale, AL, Meg Raley (Tim) of Thomasville, AL and Ryan Gunn
(Janet) of Flomaton, AL; eight grandchildren to whom called her Bubbe: Chandler
Caldwell, Laura Beth Hancock (Matthew), Kelley Gunn (Ashley), Alexis Gunn, Grady
Gunn, Taylor Gunn, Olivia Gunn and Mary Katherine Gunn; and one great
granddaughter, Ruth Gunn. Honoring our mother's wishes, the family will hold a private
memorial service with Rev. Patrick Madden officiating with interment at Choctaw Corner
Cemetery. A special thank you to former coworker of Tim's and Meg's and owner of The
Cremation Center of Birmingham, Kelly Johnson, and her staff for all of the care they
have shown to our family.