Marjorie Hays Livingston

Marjorie Hays Livingston, 93, of New Albany, MS died Thursday April 26, 2018 at Dogwood Plantation in New Albany.  She was born on July 25, 1924 in Blue Springs, MS.  She moved to Sherman, MS in 1929 with her family and lived there until she graduated from the Mississippi State College for Women in 1945.   She was always proud that her tiny village of Sherman was able to graduate so many men and women from high school, college, and medical school during the Depression.

She married Price South Livingston, DVM, on December 24, 1945 in Sherman and lived with him in Newark, New Jersey while he finished his military service.  They returned to Mississippi in 1946, living in Sherman and Pontotoc before moving to New Albany, where Price opened a veterinary clinic and where they raised four children, Priscilla, Stephen, Nancy and Joseph.  Marjorie attended the University of Mississippi and received her Masters degree in English in 1969.   Price died on April 1, 1969 at the age of 48.  Marjorie became a single mother with her two youngest children still in their teens or preteens.

She moved to Richmond, VA with Nancy and Joe to be near her brother and his family.  She had returned to teaching English in Mississippi before her husband’s death and continued teaching in the Richmond public schools for several years.  She also owned and operated a gift shop in Richmond before moving back to Mississippi in 1980.  She taught school at the high school and college level until she retired in 1991.  After that, she tutored students in English as a second language, including refugees from Vietnam and Mexico as well as teaching Sunday school classes at First United Methodist Church in New Albany.  She was a brilliant teacher, who had high standards and was appreciated by her former students. 

Marjorie was very involved in many civic organizations in New Albany.  She was a member of the New Albany Beautification Committee, working diligently to beautify the downtown area; she was a tutor and board member of the Literacy Council, a member of Dogwood Hills and Northside Garden Clubs, Junta Club, New Century Club, Kappa, and the Hospital Auxiliary, United Methodist Women, Meals on Wheels.  Even into her early nineties, she remained enthusiastic about her community; even though she struggled with macular degeneration (she still listened to books on tape and gave book reports).  She believed that a major part of being a Christian was in service to the community.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Dr. William C. Hays and Auggie McDougal Hays, her husband, Dr. Price South Livingston, her brothers, Dr. William Hays and Dr. Freeman Hays and two sisters, Evelyn North and a sister who died in infancy, Eleanor Marian.  She leaves behind her sons, Stephen (Patsy) Livingston and Joseph (Christy) of New Albany and daughters, Nancy (Charles) of Olive Branch and Priscilla (Jon) of Columbus, IN, as well as 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews, most of whom knew her as Gangee.

A celebration of her life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in New Albany on Sunday May 6, 2018. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with the service beginning at 2:00 PM.

The Ripley Funeral Home is honored to serve the Livingston family and invites you to sign the guestbook ans share memories.

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