Mary Frances Bankhead McBrayer
Mary came to Reed from South Carolina and studied at the college for two years before leaving to marry. “I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to go,” she noted in 2007. Through the years she kept in touch with her roommate, Betty Workman Hedrick ’39, as well as other alumni, including Emilio Pucci MA ’37. Mary visited Emilio’s clothing shop in New York City and met him at an exhibition featuring his designs in Denver, Colorado, in 1965. “He invited us to Florence to visit, but we did not get there.” Mary and her husband, John A. McBrayer, who was in the navy and had a career in aeronautics, resided in 11 states. “We met many nice friends wherever we lived.” Mary completed a bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University in South Carolina and studied for an additional degree in library science. She held teaching certificates in five states. Mary was predeceased by John, their daughter Ann, and their grandson Jonah. Survivors include daughters Susan and Jane, four grandchildren, a sister, and a brother.
Appeared in Reed magazine: December 2015
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