Mary Bland Conaway

Mary Dean Bland Conaway, 88, of Savannah, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018. She was born Oct 13, 1929 in Liberty County, Georgia and educated at Bradwell Institute and Georgia Teachers College.
She was a loving and devoted wife, beloved Mother, Grandmother and friend. "Mimi" as she was known by her grandchildren will truly be missed.
Dean married, Arnold, the love of her life, on February 3, 1952. They were married 59 happy years. Dean and Arnold loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. They had many happy memories of Shrine conventions, Las Vegas, and trips here and abroad. Everyone looked forward to family dinners where Mimi served her famous fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. At the Conaway's everyone felt right at home, especially at the Christmas parties, singing carols while Arnold played the organ.
Mimi never tired of pushing the grandchildren in the backyard swing or watching them jump off the diving board over and over. The kids could always count on her to play in the family baseball or kickball game. Mimi was never too busy to join in the fun.
She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, member of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Circle 3, Wayfarers Social Ministry Committee, Alee Shrine Ladies Auxiliary, Charter member of Alee Shrine Patrol Ladies Auxiliary, Tybee Lite Shrine Club Ladies Auxiliary, George K. Ganem American Legion Post # 184, and Savannah Woman's Club.
Dean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Arnold Benjamin Conaway, Jr., and her parents, Effie Smiley Bland and Prentice B. Bland.
She is survived by daughters and son-in-law; Brenda Conaway Koncul and her husband, Frank, Kathy Conaway McElwee and her husband, Mack, granddaughter; Caroline Koncul Nelson and her husband Davidson, five grandsons; Christopher Koncul and his wife Hillary, Brian Koncul, John, Patrick, and Stephen McElwee, great grandson; Benjamin Koncul, great granddaughters; Catherine Nelson and Elizabeth Koncul, step granddaughter; Dana McElwee Carnahan and her son Jack. Mimi was looking forward to the arrival of another great grandson in April. Dean loved her family and took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Monday, at 1 p.m., with Pastor Peter Hartmann, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 12 p.m. until the time for the service.
Interment will follow at Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Arnold. A reception will follow the interment services at Hoffner Hall at the church.
Remembrances: St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 West 31st St., Savannah, Georgia 31401; Alee Shrine Crippled Children, Morris Slotin Fund, P.O. Box 14147, Savannah, Georgia 31406.
Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel is in charge ofarrangments.