Mary Elizabeth Humphries Balkcom Roberts

Mary Elizabeth Humphries Balkcom Roberts, 83, of Gray, GA, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025, in her home. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Hart’s Mortuary, Jones County Chapel, 307 Pecan Ln., Gray, Ga 31032, with a service at 2:00 pm. A gathering will be held at her home, 307 Morton Rd, Gray, Ga 31032, following the burial at Middle Georgia Memory Gardens, 3225 Joycliff Rd, Macon Ga 31211.

She was preceded in death by her parents Buford & Irene (Peavy) Humphries, brother, Marvin Humphries, son, James Richard “Ricky” Balkcom, former husband Francis Lamar “Dick” Balkcom, stepsons Lamar Balkcom Jr, Charles Balkcom, grandson, Timothy Pruett, and former Husband Melvin Roberts.

Mary was born May 01, 1942, in Wilkinson County. Growing up she played the piano at New Haven Baptist Church. Later on, she opened a beauty shop in her home and was a cosmetologist for several nursing homes. She worked several years at McGaw Laboratories and many years at Brown & Williamson where she later retired. She loved gardening, putting up vegetables, and took pride in her home and flowers. Her home was always welcoming. From every holiday and gathering to Sunday suppers, her home was filled with love and laughter. Thanks to Mary, the best memories were made there. She enjoyed fishing, playing games, telling stories, pranking, playing the piano and singing, and she was an outstanding cook.

Mary influenced and inspired all with her words of wisdom, life advice and experiences. She was kind, loving, quick witted, and beautiful inside and out. She was independent, feisty, stubborn, and strong. A lover and a fighter. We saw it all leading up to her last peaceful breath. She was everything you would expect and more as the matriarch. Family was of great importance and many called her Mama or Granny. She was loved by all, and an amazing lady that will long be remembered.

She is survived by her daughters, Alice Cannon of Gray, Nancy (Art) Bower of Macon, Darlene Balkcom of Macon, and Karen (Moose-Rodney) Falgout of Fort Valley, stepson Wayne Balkcom, 10 grandkids, 16, great grandkids and 1 great great grandkid.

She will be truly missed.