Mary Maloof

Mary Azar Maloof died peacefully on Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, at her home on Lookout Mountain, Tenn., at the age of 89. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Maloof Frierson and husband, Jim; three grandchildren, James William Frierson Jr., John Alfred Frierson and Anna Claire Frierson, of Chattanooga. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, James and Annie Azar; her husband, Alfred Maloof; and her sister, Virginia Azar (Gene) Maloof. As loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, Mary devoted herself to her family throughout her life. She treasured her grandchildren, and they have a special place in their hearts for her. She was born April 17, 1925, in Atlanta, and began school at a very young age. She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School at the age of 16. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1945 at the age of 20, with a B.A. degree in Economics. Mary had a pioneering career in banking with American National Bank in Atlanta before she met and married Alfred in 1955. They were married for almost 40 years until his death in 1995. Quite the tastemaker, her innate sense of style and grace was evident to everyone who met her. She worked as Alfreds partner in Maloof's Department Store in Dawson (founded in the late 1890's by Alfreds father, A.D. Maloof) until they retired in 1989. Mary had great business acumen; she enjoyed building the company and taking frequent buying trips with Alfred. Together they created a special community center where friends and neighbors from surrounding counties came to both shop and visit. She was active parishioner of St. Teresas Catholic Church and a supporter of her daughters secondary school, Deerfield School, in Albany. She was a regular bridge player and had a weekly game with her group of good friends for over 25 years. A funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Dawson. The family will receive friends at the parish hall at 11 a.m. Private burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, alongside the grave of her late husband. Officiating clergy will be Fr. Finbarr Stanton and The Rev. Freeman G. Cross Jr. Contributions may be made to Siskin Childrens Institute or Memorial Hospital Foundation, both in Chattanooga. The family also wishes to thank the many devoted caregivers who have been by her side over the last few years. Visit www.heritagefh.com or Heritage Facebook page to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.