Mabel Ray Rymer, 92, a longtime resident of Athens, died Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

She was born in Greeneville on Aug. 13, 1916, to the late Ethel Stanton and Hiram Clark Ray, and was preceded in death by her husband, Filetus Alexander Rymer, on Nov. 11, 1991; and two sisters, Geneva Weissinger of Kingsport, and Katherine Lake of Wilmington, N.C. She was educated in Greeneville County School and graduated from Tusculum College in 1937. She taught school at McMinn County High School and Athens Junior High School for 33 years. She enjoyed flower-arranging and gardening, and was a longtime member of the Athens Garden Club. She was a member of Athens First Baptist Church and loved her involvement in her Sunday school class.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Rymer of Atlantic Beach, Fla., and Ann Rymer of Taos, N.M.; one son and his wife, Bob Rymer and Catherine Anne Walsh of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; one sister and brother-in-law, Bertha and Jack Cathrall of Stratford, N.J.; her in-laws, Bill and Jean Rymer of Rogersville, Gladys Rymer of Knoxville, and Bob Lake of Wilmington, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Dr. Carlos Peterson officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to The National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014; or The Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410.

Those not able to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com