Notables

Mary L. Arnold

Mary L. Arnold (1921-2003) 
Biography written by W. Todd Dorsey

It is only fitting that the 2003 festival booklet be dedicated to the memory of the late Miss Mary Arnold.  Miss Arnold passed away April 16^th of this year as a result of complications from an extended illness.

She was many things to many people—sister, cherished friend, classmate, teacher, writer, and even politician—and her impact on Maysville and her Christian love are noteworthy.

Born Dec. 5, 1921, on Homer Street in Maysville, Mary Louise Arnold was a daughter of Avery and Tressie Hill Arnold.  Her sister, Helen Arnold Hardin, died shortly after childbirth and Mary helped raise her son, John, Jr., who became a noted teaching physician.

Her mother having been a school teacher, Miss Arnold pursued the teaching profession after education at Maysville High School, Piedmont College, Toccoa Falls and North Georgia College.  She was a lifelong member of Maysville Baptist Church.

Upon driving one of her college teachers home to Alpharetta, Miss Arnold expressed an interest in the beauty of the area.  Mrs. Donovan explained to her that Fulton County Schools did pay more than outside of Atlanta and that she should be able to afford a place to live while teaching.  Miss Arnold accepted a position teaching second grade in Alpharetta and taught there from 1950-1973.  In the summertime, she would travel Georgia teaching Bible School to children.

In 1973 Miss Arnold returned to Maysville to help care for her aging mother.  She taught at Maysville Elementary School for one year.

In 1974 she decided to run for mayor of Maysville as she felt she could do some good for the town she had always loved.  After a successful campaign, she was sworn in to office Jan. 6, 1975, becoming Maysville’s first female mayor and one of a handful in Georgia.  At her first council meeting she handed out her goals for Maysville for the coming year and set about working to achieve them.  Her concerns included health care for the elderly, adequate water, police protection, paved streets, recreation for young people and beautification of the town.  After completing a successful first term, she was re-elected to a second two-year term in 1976.

Although unable to get a doctor or a bank for Maysville as she had hoped, Miss Arnold’s accomplishments included connecting Maysville’s water supply with Commerce, water meter improvements, reduction of water system debt, , library access, cemetery improvements, street improvements and adoption of numerous ordinances to promote a better quality of life.

She supported the town’s Christmas parade and saw that the city donated candy for Santa to give the children.  At the end of her first term as mayor, she presented awards to her council and staff and thanked them for valuable service to the city.

She was often contacted and visited by notable Georgia politicians such as Senator Herman Talmadge and Gov. George Busbee.  It was not unusual for “Miss Mary” to go to the State Capitol in Atlanta and knock on a door and walk in to see who she needed without an appointment.

In her retirement, Miss Arnold wrote the Maysville socials for The Jackson Herald, just as her mother had done for many years.  She received numerous visits, calls, and letters over the years and talked about Maysville’s history and charm to many inquirers.

Miss Arnold’s story wouldn’t be complete without mention of her dear friend and housemate, Miss Medora Adams.  Both attended Piedmont College together and chose the same profession.  Miss Adams continues to reside in Maysville today.