Mary Melvina Self

MARY MELVINA SMALLING SELF, age 91, of Athens Tennessee passed away October 31, 2025 at Starr Regional Medical Center in Athens.

Mary was born in Monroe County, TN to the late Hoyt and Lucille Millsaps Smalling and was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Self; siblings, Bud, Viola Pearl and Edna; a niece Melissa Hooper; Nephew, Great-grandchild, Cameron Bohannon; and son-in-law, Alan Bohannon.

Mary was raised in the farm life but went on to business school and became employed by several banks before working at Bowater Southern Papermill for 42 years. Mary was very involved in her community in her younger years serving as Past Matron of Athenian 159 OES in Athens and held several other offices in Tennessees Eastern Star.

Mary and her husband Marvin enjoyed spending time on the lake with their family, they loved camping, riding motorcycles and many other activities with family and friends. She enjoyed Gospel Quartet singing and accompanied her husband, Marvin for over 40 years as he sang in multiple Quartets other church choirs Mary's hobbies included reading, painting and crafts.

She was a current member of Genesis Baptist Church and a previous member of Eastanallee Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church and Farr's Chapel in Monroe County.

Mary leaves behind many friends and family that will miss her until they meet again.

Survivors: Daughter: Debbie Self Bohannon Baker of Athens, Tenn., Son and daughter-in-law David Ray (Tammy)Self of Nashville, Tenn., Grandchildren and spouses Kimberly (Steve) Hazelwood, Angela Bohannon, Brian (Angela) Self, Paige (J.T.) Kloby, Kelly (Emmanuel) Bello; Great Grandchildren and spouses, Olivia (Austin) Fitch, Kat (Ashley) Andrus, Josh Hazelwood, Hayden Self and Ava Gray Kloby; Great Great Grandchildren Brooklyn Cotter, Grayson Fitch and Hunter Fitch. Many nieces, nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

Special friends and caregivers, Denna Bea Raper, Jessica Kelly Burns and the friends and caregivers at Dominion of Athens. The family thanks you for a job well done.

Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, November 9, 2025 in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Pete Mullins and Chuck Letsinger officiating.

The family will receive friends and family from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM Sunday prior to the service at the funeral home.

The graveside service will be Monday, November 10, 2025 at McMinn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Brad Bivens, Josh Hazelwood, Mike Hodgsons, Andy Best, Logan Nunley, and Steve Hazelwood

Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com/obituaries/Mary-Self.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens TN. is in charge of the arrangements.